The city government opened over the weekend another isolation facility for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera on Monday said preparations are underway for the utilization of the newly completed PHP21.9 million isolation center constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Barangay Buayan.

He said the health care facility has a floor area of 1,760 square meters and is made up of eight 40-foot and eight 20-foot container vans.

These were transformed into isolation rooms, nurses’ station, utility or electrical rooms, and male and female quarters for frontline workers, he said.

The mayor said each isolation room has a comfort room and air-conditioning system, and with the same amenities in the nurse station and quarters.

“It can accommodate up to 40 patients and has generator set to ensure uninterrupted electricity day in and out,” Rivera said in a statement.

He said the facility, which will cater to confirmed Covid-19 patients, will be managed by the City Health Office, in coordination with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

The local government signed in September last year a memorandum of agreement with DPWH-Region 12 for the construction of the “mobile health facility.”

The facility was among the Covid-19 response projects that were approved for Region 12 (Soccsksargen) by the National Task Force against Covid-19 and the national Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“This undertaking is very important. This has been a long-awaited project from the national government,” Rivera said.

He said the city government will find ways to expand the facility further to cope with the continuing surge of locally transmitted Covid-19 cases in the city.

Last month, the local government also opened a 27-bed temporary treatment and monitoring facility at the Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital (DJPRH) compound.

The PHP10 million facility, which was funded under Republic Act 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2), was implemented by the DPWH and the Department of Health.

The city government operates an isolation and treatment center for moderate to severe Covid-19 cases at the DJPRH, as well as isolation and quarantine for mild cases at the city sports complex, selected public schools, and the regional evacuation center in Barangay Buayan. (PNA)