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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Gov't eyes use of ships as floating quarantine facilities; PICC, WTC, and Rizal Sports Complex as isolation centers

Gov't eyes use of ships as floating quarantine facilities; PICC, WTC, and Rizal Sports Complex as isolation centers

Published Mar 31, 2020 03:45 am
By Genalyn Kabiling The government is eyeing maritime vessels to serve as "floating quarantine centers" as well as hotels and other similar establishments as similar temporary medical facilities in every region of the country. The proposed quarantine sites will be on top of the three large government buildings that will be converted into "fully-functional quarantine facilities" amid the soaring cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (Photo from Karlo Nograles / Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN) Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (Photo from Karlo Nograles / Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN) According to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, concerned government agencies have been been directed to expedite efforts in the in the identification, establishment, and/or furbishing of facilities that will be used for quarantine or isolation. "The DOTr (Department of Transportation) shall lead the identification of maritime vessels that can serve as floating quarantine centers, in coordination with the DOH," Nograles said in a virtual press conference aired over government television. He also read the latest resolution from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). "The Department of Tourism (DOT) shall finalize the identification of hotels and other similar establishments as quarantine facilities in every region of the country. The Bureau of Quarantine is directed to assess the adequacy of such facilities identified by the DOT," he added. He said the Department of Public Works and Highways has been directed "to complete all the works necessary to convert the Philippine International Convention Center, World Trade Center, the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, and such other facilities as may be necessary, into fully-functional quarantine facilities." Local government units have also been directed to finalize the conversion of provincial, city, municipal, and barangay quarantine facilities. Uniformed government forces will be among the personnel to be tapped to man the quarantine facilities, according to Nograles. "The DOH (Department of Health) Centers for Health Development and the regional offices of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Local Government Units (LGUs), including uniformed services, shall form composite teams who will serve as personnel in quarantine facilities operated by the national government and LGUs," he said. Nograles said all identified facilities shall be reported to the National Task Force COVID-19-Task Group on Resource Management and Logistics for consolidation. The task group is expected to classify the facilities into those that can be utilized for quarantine of Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs), isolation of Patients Under Investigation (PUIs), and positive COVID-19 cases with mild symptoms. Some major hospitals in Metro Manila were recently forced to deny admission to more COVID-19 patients after reaching their maximum capacities.
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