Vico Sotto assures safety of residents near Pasig's COVID-19 referral hospital

Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto on Tuesday assured scared residents that they would not be placed in harm's way even with Pasig City Children’s Hospital becoming a COVID-19 referral facility.

"Hindi ko gagawin 'yon na malalagay kayo sa alanganin," Sotto told residents who told them their misgivings about the development at the hospital.

"Naiintindihan ko po, pero kung hindi po natin gawin 'to mas marami po'ng mamatay," he said in Mariz Umali's report on "24 Oras".

The hospital will accept only coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive cases, patients under investigation with mild symptoms and comorbidity, the elderly, and PUIs with mild and severe cases with no comorbidity.

"Tataas ang kapasidad natin dito sa Pasig para alagaan ang may mga COVID-19, [ang] mga pasyente natin na positibo sa COVID-19," Sotto said.

"Pangalawa, mababawasan po, maiiwasan natin 'yung cross contamination between COVID and non-COVID-19 patients," he added.

Those with other illnesses will be brought to the Pasig General Hosppital.

Inside the facility, the nurse station, doors of the intensive care unit, and all areas with patients have been covered in plastic.

Plywood panels have also been installed in paths which will be used by patients to serve as a barrier. This was an additional protection, especially since there were offices stationed along the hallway.

There are 140 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pasig City with 22 deaths and 28 recoveries. -NB, GMA News