The drug rehabilitation center in Fort Magsaysay here that has been designated as a quarantine facility for those who test positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is targeted to be operational next week.

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III, chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID); Chief Implementer of the National Policy Against Covid-19, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.; Deputy Chief Implementer and Testing Czar Secretary Vince Dizon; and Health Undersecretary and Treatment Czar Leopoldo Vega inspected the facility on Friday.

“To curb the spread of the virus in our communities, especially in densely populated communities, which is a significant portion of our area in our big cities like Metro Manila, we need to make sure that those who test positive for the virus are isolated from other people, especially their loved ones who can easily be infected,” Dizon said.

The facility has more than 500 spacious air-conditioned rooms, 478 of which will be allotted for Covid-19-positive patients and 44 for the medical staff.

To be manned by the Bureau of Quarantine, the facility will provide patients with 24/7 medical care and assistance, free meals, and free WiFi connection.

The government has converted major facilities into quarantine centers for Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms and those who are asymptomatic to avoid congesting hospitals and to prevent transmission of the virus in the communities.

Isolation Czar and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar earlier reported 52,223 beds in Ligtas-Covid Centers and 3,193 beds in We Heal As One Mega Ligtas Centers.

Villar also said the government would put up 50 additional quarantine facilities in the next three weeks. (PNA)