Gov’t is ready in case of surge in COVID-19 cases, says Nat'l Task Force

The Philippine government is prepared for a possible surge of COVID-19 cases, members of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 said Tuesday. 

NTF Deputy Implementer Vince Dizon and Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) made the assurance during the opening of the Quezon Institute-Philippine Tuberculosis Society Inc. Modular Hospital and Dormitory located within the Quezon Institute compound in Quezon City. 

The two units of modular hospitals with 44-bed capacity will serve moderate and severe COVID-19 patients, while the two units of dormitories with 64 beds for the perusal of health workers were turned over to the Department of Health as part of the government’s COVID-19 response.

“Nakikita po natin na tumataas ang ating kaso. Hindi naman po ito nakakagulat. Marami pong lumalabas dahil after months of quarantine, gustong makasama ang mga mahal sa buhay dahil magpa-Pasko. Pero hindi po puwedeng maging kampante. Kaya lagi pong handa ang ating mga pasilidad kung tumaas man po ulit ang mga kaso,” Dizon said.

“The government is prepared for any possibility and is on top of the situation,” Villar added.

The Quezon Institute-Philippine Tuberculosis Society Inc. Modular Hospital and Dormitory will be managed and operated by the medical teams from the DOH and Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital.

In addition, the NTF noted that hospital facilities are equipped with copper tube for oxygen and tanks, a separate nursing station, equipment laboratory, pantry, storage, closed-circuit television (CCTV) lines, monitoring board and an area for donning and putting on of personal protective equipment in order to limit the spread of contamination.

“Rest assured we will continue to work very hard kahit alam po natin na malapit na magkaroon ng vaccine [against COVID-19],” Villar said.  

The Philippines has recorded 461,505 COVID-19 cases as of December 21. 

Of this number, 429,207 recovered while 8,957 died. 

The number of active COVID-19 cases is at 23,341. 

On December 14, Dr. Guido David of OCTA Research Group said the COVID-19 reproduction rate in Metro Manila—the average number of individuals that an infected person can transmit COVID-19 to—already exceeded one and is increasing amid the holiday festivities. 

The government has urged the public to limit Christmas celebrations among immediate family members residing in the same house and refrain from holding videoke parties to prevent COVID-19 transmission. —KG, GMA News