By Aaron Recuenco
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to deploy its medical corps and health personnel to the quarantine facility at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) amid the rising number of infected Filipinos of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said the PNP contingent will be assisting the government medical team to attend to the needs of the COVID-19 patients that will be quarantined at the PICC Forum Tent. “Final preparations are now underway for the deployment of our medical corps and health care personnel,” said Gamboa.
The PICC quarantine area could accommodate up to 249 patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 cases. It will be the PNP Health Service which will be in charge of medical operations in the quarantine facility. “The PNP, with our corps of medical and healthcare personnel, is honored to take on this crucial responsibility in our national efforts to stand our ground against COVID-19 and heal the land of this contagion,” said Gamboa.
“This health facility at PICC will provide supportive care to anyone who will be admitted under close supervision of the PNP Health Service and the Department of Health,” he added. Based on the latest data, the Philippines has recorded a total of 4,195 infection. A total of 221 people were reported to have died due to COVID-19, while 140 people were reported to have recovered. The figure makes the Philippines as one of the worst hit of COVID-19 in Southeast Asia.
The PICC is one of the identified quarantine sites for COVID-19 patients. PNP tapped some of the buildings at Camp Crame and other police camps as quarantine sites.