DAVAO CITY - The city government is planning to add 250 more isolation beds as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase.
“We are working on four more (isolation facilities). Pero kining isa mao ni pinakadako ang sa DPWH pero dili kaayo mi optimistic ani because duna syay mga kulang ngadto before magamit (The biggest one is the one at the Department of Public Works and Highways but we are not optimistic about it since it still needs a lot of work before it can be used).
So, we have three, isa is good for 50, another is good for 150, and another is good for 50. So we have 250 out of the 650 na gina-ready nato karon na kahibalo na ma-open sya very soon (One is good for 50 people, another is good for 150, and another is good for 50. So we have 250 out of the 650 that we are preparing and will be utilized soon),” Duterte said.
The city currently has 2,408 COVID-19 beds and 873 are still available. However, Duterte said some of these are being utilized as holding facilities for suspected COVID cases. Data from the city government shows that of the 1,957 isolation beds, 638 are still vacant while 227 of the 443 quarantine beds remain unused.
The health group of the COVID-19 Task Force response cluster is also preparing care kits for COVID-19 confirmed positive cases who are still waiting to be picked up from their homes.
“Kini sila ihatag sa mga tawo nga naa pa sa mga balay and wala pa sila na pick up because waiting in line pa sila sa pick up or puno na ang mga facilities (We will give these to confirmed COVID-19 positive patients who are still in their homes and are waiting to be picked up because they are still waiting in line or the facilities are full)," Duterte added.
She said the care kits will include instructions on what the patients need to do. The kit will contain a digital thermometer, pulse oximeter, vitamin C, paracetamol, disposable face masks, and alcohol.