Gov't planning to convert EAMC into COVID-dedicated hospital —Galvez

Chief implementer of the government's COVID-19 response Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Thursday said the government is eyeing to convert East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City into a dedicated hospital for coronavirus-infected patients. 

"Sa ngayon po nagbotohan sina Secretary Villar, Secretary Vince Dizon, Usec. Vega na mapaayos ang ating... at ma-convert ang EAMC na maging COVID-dedicated hospital," Galvez said at a press briefing during the launch of the COVID-19 Command Center.

"It would provide 250 isolation and ward beds and at the same time additional ICU, more or less 20 to 30 ICU beds," he added.

Moreover, Galvez said the Quirino Memorial Medical Center could also provide additional 50 ICU beds and 100 isolation and ward beds.

Galvez also said the government is planning to expand the Philippine General Hospital, the Lung Center of the Philippines, and the Quezon Institute as COVID-19 cases continue to spike.

"Through the Health Command, [ini-increase] po natin ang ating health capacity. Dinadagdagan po natin ang ICU bed para maaddress natin ang increasing admissions ng different hospitals ng mga severe at critical cases," Galvez said.

Testing czar Vince Dizon said the Philippines is planning to open more isolation and COVID-19 beds within the month for a better management of the health crisis.

Dizon also said aggressive testing, tracing, and isolation would help arrest the spread of the virus. 

Latest tally from the Department of Health indicated that COVID-19 cases in the Philippines already increased to 115,980, with 66,270 recoveries and 2,123 deaths.  —LBG, GMA News