Negros quarantine facilities full

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Isolation facilities in Negros Occidental are becoming overwhelmed with patients, prompting the provincial government to encourage the use of classrooms as quarantine centers.

The province has recorded an average of 200 active cases daily for the past several days this month.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson advised local government units (LGUs) with full quarantine facilities to use the classrooms in their areas.

Lacson said he would no longer request for a moratorium for inbound travelers.

He said LGUs with no vacant quarantine facilities should stop accepting travelers.

“With all travelers having to go through the S-Pass or Safe, Swift and Smart Passage, that’s where we have to deny,” Lacson said, apparently referring to those entering LGUs with no vacant quarantine facilities.

Last month, Negros Occidental excluding the capital city of Bacolod logged 4,000 active cases, according to provincial administrator Rayfrando Diaz.

The provincial government is opening 170 more rooms for COVID patients at the EB Magalona Healing Center to address the increasing number of active cases, Diaz said.

He said the provincial government has started deploying health personnel in EB Magalona to assist in the opening of 170 COVID rooms.

The rooms will accommodate patients referred by other LGUs whose quarantine facilities are full.