Due to the increasing number of confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the city, the Quezon City local government has prepared another quarantine facility for COVID-19 confirmed, suspected, and probable patients.

Scheduled to open next week, the new quarantine facility which will be the fifth HOPE community-caring facility is located in the city-owned Talipapa Senior High School building and will have a 67-bed capacity for mild and asymptomatic cases.

“Isolation is one of the key strategies in controlling the spread of COVID-19. Since we have seen a rise in numbers, we need to expand our quarantine facilities in order to accommodate those who cannot self-isolate in their homes,” QC Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

Meanwhile, the Quezon City General Hospital will also open a 336-bed quarantine facility in their compound and will be called HOPE 4 facility. The city procured 4 dialysis machines and 10 beds in this facility will be dedicated for the COVID-19 dialysis patients.

“As we ramp up our testing capacities, we also need to increase our facilities for confirmed or suspected patients. If we isolate them immediately, we can better protect their family from further infection especially if they are living with high risk individuals such as pregnant, senior citizens, and those with comorbidities,” QC COVID-19 Task Force Head Joseph Juico said.

Apart from these two facilities, the local government in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will also open additional 2 facilities. Aligned with the strategy of the national government to use public school as quarantine facilities, DPWH is currently preparing more than 400 beds in the Emilio Jacinto Senior High School.

DPWH also funded the conversion of 16 container vans into a 64-bed isolation facility located inside the QCU for mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients.

Juico also explained that through these facilities, hospitals in the city can better manage and accommodate those who need advanced medical care.

“These facilities are meant to unclog the hospitals so that they can focus on patients who are moderate, severe, and critical,” Juico added.