The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is ramping up efforts to help the government respond to the surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases by increasing the capacity of quarantine facilities at the New Clark City in Tarlac.
Four mega swabbing facilities co-managed by BCDA have hit the 1 million mark in terms of patients served.
On Tuesday, April 20, BCDA president and chief executive officer Vince Dizon said one building at the National Government Administrative Center will be converted into a temporary treatment and monitoring facility for COVID-19 patients with mild or asymptomatic cases.
The new facility will expand Clark's current isolation capacity with additional 171 beds, increasing the total to 1,121.
"The government recognizes the need to beef up our isolation capacity amid the spike in COVID-19 cases. We hope to ease the burden of hospitals by building more facilities for patients with mild and asymptomatic cases," Dizon said.
He added that the new facility is targeted to open within the third week of April.
Dizon assured that it has complete amenities for the comfort, convenience, and well-being of patients who will be isolated in the facility.
Currently, there are four mega quarantine centers in Clark with a total capacity of 950 beds.
Meanwhile, the four mega swabbing facilities have also swabbed 1.07 million patients from May 5, 2020 to April 9, 2021.