By Analou De Vera
The Department of Health (DOH) announced on Wednesday 106 more cases of coronavirus disease, raising the total to 3,870.
Five more COVID-19 patients died, raising the death toll to 182, the DOH said in its latest case bulletin.
Meanwhile, twelve more patients have recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 96.
Community quarantine facilities
In a related development, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the community quarantine facilities are expected to help in decongesting the number of patients in hospitals.
“Itong pagbukas ng mga community quarantine facilities ay makakatulong ng husto dahil ngayon meron na tayong mga pwesto para sa mga mild, severely ill, and mga vulnerable natin. So ma-spread out po yung ating mga pasyente at mas makaka-agapay po yung sistema natin,” said Vergeire during the ‘Laging Handa’ press briefing.
Some of the community quarantine facilities in Metro Manila are the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Philippine International Convention Center, and the World Trade Center.
Vergeire said that the medical personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police will help in manning the community quarantine facilities.
The DOH on Tuesday said that among the areas that are now establishing community quarantine centers are Albay, Baguio, Ilocos Norte, Makati, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan City, Sorsogon, Valenzuela, and Zambales.
Meanwhile, the Health official said that barangay health stations (BHS) cannot be converted to community quarantine facilities.
“Ito po ay isang maliit na structure na hindi po magiging appropriate for a community quarantine facility dahil may standard po tayo na meron po tayong sukat at distansya bawat kama para hindi po tabi-tabi at may physical distance,” explained Vergeire.