Gov’t assures comfortable quarantine facilities

MANILA — The quarantine facilities that the government is preparing to isolate individuals with confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 will be comfortable for the patients, health workers, and other staff, the architect of the new quarantine facilities said Friday.

During the Laging Handa briefing, architect Daniel Lichauco, a hospital design expert, said the quarantine facilities will have “everything that they need while in quarantine”.

Lichauco said every cubicle has a power socket and the whole area will be provided with free wi-fi connection.

Food will also be delivered to each room to minimize the movement of people around the quarantine facility.

Lichauco said the quarantine facilities are also designed to protect health workers and other staff from Covid-19.

“We’re making sure there is no transmission of the virus and the nurses are protected as they move in and out of the facility,” he said.

He added the nurse station for each facility will be in an enclosed room with high-efficiency particulate absorbing or HEPA filtration.

“Before you enter any of the bed wards, you will pass by an airlock. We’re following all protocols required,” the architect added.

The government is identifying different facilities in the country that can be converted to quarantine areas for individuals with confirmed Covid-19 cases, as well as persons under investigation due to coronavirus.

This measure to stop the spread of Covid-19 is being done in Wuhan, South Korea, Indonesia, Spain, and New York.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said 125 evacuation centers throughout the country were already identified as quarantine facilities.

Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio Dizon said there are 12 quarantine facilities in Metro Manila.

These quarantine facilities include the Rizal Memorial Stadium Complex, which will be opened this weekend, Philippine International Convention Center, World Trade Center, Quezon Institute, Food Terminal Incorporated or FTI in Taguig, PhilSports Arena or the ULTRA in Pasig, Filinvest Tent in Alabang, Duty Free Philippines in Parañaque, Amoranto Stadium, Quezon City Memorial Circle, Veterans Medical Center Complex, and the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.