QC University Complex chosen as 2nd city COVID-19 quarantine facility

Mayor Joy Belmonte said on Monday that the Quezon City University (QCU) Complex in Novaliches would be the city's second quarantine facility for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

Dubbed as Hope II, the university complex would shelter persons under investigation (PUIs).

“The quarantine facility has a 168-bed capacity for PUIs who are unable to undergo self-quarantine in their respective homes,” Belmonte said in a statement.

Under the previous protocol issued by the Department of Health (DOH), hospitals would send PUIs and COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms home.

These PUIs would be advised to self-isolate and would only be monitored by health officers.

“We cannot effectively control the spread of the virus if we send home PUIs and positive COVID-19 patients without the means to self-quarantine,” Belmonte, however, pointed out.

Last week, 14 Quezon City COVID-19 cases with mild symptoms were sent home due to a lack of available beds at health facilities.

However, at the quarantine facilities, admitted patients would be provided with isolated spaces, meals, personal hygiene kits, and proper medication.

Patients would also be assisted by medical health professionals during the quarantine.

Hope II aims to limit the exposure of health workers and community members to COVID-19.

“This would also help maximize the availability of hospital beds for patients who are in dire need of hospitalization,” said Belmonte.

The QC government earlier designated a hotel, called HOPE I, as a quarantine facility.

Belmonte did not identify the name of the 49-room hotel. As of Sunday, Hope-1 housed 10 COVID-19 positive patients and 24 PUIs.

Quezon City had 113 COVID-19 cases with 19 fatalities as of Sunday.

The local government was also keeping track of 64 PUIs and had 307 persons under monitoring (PUMs). — DVM, GMA News