The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has tapped more schools to be used as isolation centers for asymptomatic individuals who have contracted the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Senator Richard Gordon, during a virtual turnover of SM Supermalls donations for the isolation centers on Wednesday, April 14, said that more schools will be used as isolation centers.
With the bed capacity of big hospitals in Metro Manila for COVID-19 patients already reaching the “high risk” level, Gordon said that public and private schools schools are being tapped in setting up isolation centers.
“We need to do this, we need to save lives because if not, we are going lose more people,” Gordon said.
Currently, PRC has tapped Ateneo De Manila University (AdMU), University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman, De La Salle-College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB), and Adamson University (AdU) to serve as temporary isolation facilities.
PRC also tapped Makati Science High School, Villamor Airbase Elementary School in Pasay, P. Manalo Elementary School in Mandaluyong, Sto. Rosario Elementary School in Pateros, and Tala Elementary School in Caloocan City.
Asked for how long the partnership with the schools will be, Gordon said that “for as long as needed” and for as long as they are allowed to use the facilities that are not currently used by students since they are under distance or blended learning.
Gordon said that “walk-in” patients are not allowed in these facilities. “They have to endorsed by the CESU or they can also call DOH or Red Cross and we will bring them there,” he added.
PRC said that patients who are asymptomatic can be “released without need for swab” test after 14 days of quarantine. If the patients recovered in 10 days, Gordon said that they might be released early so more patients who are in need can be accommodated in these isolation sites.
Read more: PH Red Cross eyes to make all isolation facilities in schools ‘operational’ this week