After converting various evacuation centers into health facilities, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is now looking into preparing existing public buildings and open spaces in Metro Manila as health facilities and isolation sites to address hospital shortage due to continued rise of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases. Department of Public Works and Highways (MANILA BULLETIN) “A proposal is already in place to convert available spaces of Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), World Trade Center (WTC), Rizal Memorial Coliseum, and Philippine Institute of Sports Multipurpose (Philsport) Arena that can accommodate a total of 2,905 possible patients,” Villar said. The four buildings have water and electrical lines that can be converted into isolation facilities preferably for COVID-19 persons under investigation and persons under monitoring. Compliant to protocols related to Infection Prevention and Control Villar noted that the conversion of public spaces into temporary treatment and monitoring facilities shall follow principles and protocols related to Infection Prevention and Control. “As per guidelines provided by DOH, confirmed COVID-19 patients promotions. All combined, these measures will protect as many jobs and sustain enterprises through this. Stay safe everyone! For reactions: facebook.com/ johntriapage may be placed in shared space or rooms. PUIs shall be separated in a different space or tent or room provided with individual enclosed spaces and separate entrance,” he noted. “Identified spaces must be accessible to a Level 2 or 3 hospital accepting PUI or confirmed COVID-19 patients. Distance between patient beds should be maintained at least 3 feet apart on all sides,” he said. Facilities will be divided into three zones, namely: contaminated, buffer, and sterile zones. Contaminated Zone will serve as the area where patients are admitted or contained. Buffer Zone serves as an area for doffing of PPE, decontamination and hand hygiene, while Sterile Zones serve as holding area and entrance for healthcare workers, and the area for PPE donning of health workers. 19 evacuations centers, 314 vehicles Meanwhile, Villar also reported that 19 out of the 125 DPWH-built evacuation centers are now being used as health facilities around the country while 10 others as Emergency Operation Centers. “DPWH has also deployed a total of 314 vehicles nationwide to transport our frontliners. We are also assisting other national agencies transport much needed supplies,” Villar said. 318 sanitation tents, 43 gantries DPWH has also mobilized 16 Regional and 184 District Engineering Offices to provide disinfection and sanitation services nationwide. “As of today, 318 sanitation tents and 43 gantries have been established. At least 207 convergence areas have been disinfected,” Villar said.