Due to overcrowding in hospitals, the government is looking into the possibility of housing patients infected with and suspected of having the new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in one single facility, Malacañang said.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said this will be discussed during the meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases team.
“Idi-discuss din iyan (It will be discussed). We are recommending that there should only one place where we can put all those confirmed cases,” he said in a Palace briefing.
He said this would allow confirmed and suspected cases to be “isolated” from other patients in hospitals.
“Baka maubusan tayo ng ospital na paglalagayan (We might run out of hospitals to place these patients); and not only that, we are exposing out health workers to the same infection. Kung limitado lang iyong… kung dalawang lugar lang ang lalagyan natin, eh medyo mako-control natin (If we place them in two places, we can control the spread of the disease),” he said.
He said the government could not risk losing more health workers following reports that some are currently suspected of having contracted the disease.
Last February 28, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the government is considering developing some facilities in Visayas and Mindanao as potential quarantine sites for the next batches of Filipino repatriates from Covid-19 hit countries.
He said the plan was pitched in preparation for the possible “worst-case scenario,” considering that cases of Covid-19 continue to soar worldwide.
To recall, all Filipinos who returned home from Covid-19 hit countries have been quarantined at the New Clark City’s Athlete Village in Capas, Tarlac.
There are currently 140 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country including 12 fatalities, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the entire Luzon under “enhanced community” quarantine which requires “strict” home quarantine in all households, the suspension of transportation, the regulation of food and essential health services, and heightened uniformed personnel’s presence to enforce quarantine procedures.
Local government units (LGUs) will be providing food and essential needs to communities who need them. (PNA)
