Makati converts hotel into isolation facility for COVID-19 PUIs

Makati City has converted a hotel into an “isolation facility” for persons under investigation (PUIs) or people who show symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Makati Friendship Suites, where Makati City Government houses its visitors from provinces, has been turned into an isolation facility to help address the shortage of beds for medical cases related to COVID-19. 

In the city government’s Facebook page, Makati Mayor Abby Binay said the Friendship Suites can house up to 100 patients and is equipped with medical equipment including x-ray machines, defibrillators and cardiac monitors.

The post said the facility will be managed by doctors and nurses from Ospital ng Makati.

The Makati City government has also created an “Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Disease team” or EREID, with representatives from the Makati Health Department, Department of Environmental Services, and Makati Police Department for "patient management, disinfection, and security." 

Previously, the Pasig City Government has turned a drive-in hotel as quarantine facility for COVID-19 patients, PUMs and PUIs.

As of Tuesday, the Department of Health has reported a total of 552 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with 35 fatalities and 20 recoveries.

A growing number of hospitals across Metro Manila have been hit by the continued rise of new cases, including the Makati Medical Center which announced they were at full capacity as of Tuesday. — Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News