Four quarantine facilities for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients in Metro Manila have recently been completed, adding more than 300-bed capacity in the region, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Saturday, Oct. 31.
A new 44-bed capacity isolation facility was completed inside the Makati Aqua Sports Arena.
Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said 40-foot container vans were converted into a makeshift hospital that comes with a nursing station and an x-ray room.
“Just like the rest of the DPWH-implemented COVID-19 quarantine facilities, the one in Makati is fully-air conditioned, and is equipped with hospital beds, tables, and chairs, and a private comfort room for each of the patient rooms,” Villar said.
The facility, which was completed within 30 days, was turned over to the Makati local government on Oct. 29.
An 84-room quarantine facility was also completed in Parañaque City. Every room is air-conditioned and equipped with a hospital bed, a table, a chair, and a private comfort room.
It also has four nursing stations to provide a convenient area for health professionals to take a break and recharge.
The new health facility is located at the Airforce One Parking Area in Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque City. It was also turned over to the local government on Oct. 29.
Moreover, a 136-bed quarantine facility in Barangay Nangka, Marikina City was turned over Friday, Oct. 30.
“We are continuously converting containers into mobile health facilities to assist the Department of Health (DOH) in fighting COVID-19,” Villar said.
According to the secretary, 37 units of 40-foot container vans and one unit of 20-footer container van were converted into 136 air-conditioned rooms that will be used as temporary medical facilities for suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases with mild symptoms.
This includes eight rooms for health workers, two rooms for x-ray and a laboratory, two rooms for doctors and a nurse station, and one electrical room.
A 62-bed capacity isolation facility made from 34 units of container vans was also completed inside the Pateros Elementary School Gymnasium. The facility also comes with an office, health workers’ dorm room, control center room, and a laboratory.