QC gov't expands COVID-19 facilities as more children get infected with COVID-19
The Quezon City government has expanded the capacity of its HOPE community caring facilities amid the rising number of children who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Dr. Esperanza Arias, head of the city's health department, said on Friday the local government already procured additional beds, oxygen tanks, and medicines dedicated to the city's 11 COVID-19 facilities in preparation for the surge of new virus cases among children.
Arias added that "family rooms" are already being added in all the facilities to accommodate more children infected with the virus along with their families or guardians, who may also be positive for COVID-19.
This came after the number of children infected with the virus quadrupled in just a month after 318 kids turned out positive from August 1 to 7, as compared to 81 cases from July 1 to 7.
“We’re adding more family rooms to avoid children being separated from their families," Arias said.
"We want to provide optimum care and take into account the psychological well-being of these children as well,” she added, as only HOPE 3 and 6 previously had family rooms.
Currently, the local government is recruiting more staff for the opening of three more HOPE facilities.