Quezon City eyes 1,000 new isolation beds

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has started retrofitting infrastructure in the city to convert them into isolation facilities that can accommodate an additional 1,000 patients with COVID-19.

“This is the fastest way to decongest our hospitals while also mitigating further spread in the barangays. Since asymptomatic or those with mild symptoms do not need extensive medical care, they can be admitted in these facilities until their full recovery,” said Mayor Joy Belmonte.

Three buildings at the Quezon City University that were previously used as community quarantine facilities will be reopened following the surge of new cases in recent months.

The city government has also partnered with the Ateneo de Manila University and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for the use of the university’s junior high school complex as an isolation facility.

It will also transform a dormitory at the University of the Philippines-Diliman into a 282-bed facility in partnership with the PRC, Philippine Medical Association and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Another building at the San Francisco High School in Bago Bantay will also be developed into an isolation area.

“We are grateful for the proactive participation of private organizations like Ateneo in our COVID-19 response. Through their facility, we will be able to accommodate more patients of COVID-19,” Belmonte said.

Some buildings will also be converted into dormitories for medical frontliners.

The city government said it is also in talks with other private organizations for the possible use of their facilities for COVID-19 patients or healthcare workers.