The PHP120-million mega isolation facility here is almost finished and will be operational soon, Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said on Monday.

Salazar said the 320-bed capacity isolation center located at the Zamboanga Economic Zone area in Sitio San Ramon, Barangay Talisayan will greatly address the shortage of beds in hospitals caused by the rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the city.

“The city government aggressively pursues measures to address the shortage of beds, manpower, and medical oxygen supply brought about by the spike in cases,” Salazar said.

She described the isolation center as a modular van-type facility made up of 10 blocks with 32 rooms per block.

She said that each room has an individual air-conditioning unit as well as a toilet and bath amenities.

The facility is also equipped with a generator set and an 8,000-liter capacity water tanker.

The mayor also said the facility has an administration building and a block serving as quarters of health front-liners, a supply or logistics room, and a health care section.

A triage facility will be also installed, Salazar said.

She said that the local Inter-Agency Task Force on Covid-19, through the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) and the city health office, is also finalizing preparation for the food supply and personnel component of the facility.

Dr. Elmeir Jade Apolinario, CDRRMO chief, earlier said the facility, once completed, will be the biggest isolation facility for Covid-19 patients here.

Apolinario said the new center, once opened, will enable the city to have a capacity of over 2,000 beds for Covid-19 cases, including those in the village isolation facilities.

On Sunday, Salazar together with some members of the local IATF, contractor, and project engineers inspected the facility to assess its readiness to serve Covid cases in the locality. (PNA)