Rizal Memorial Complex operational on April 6, can start receiving patients on April 7

The Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila will be operational on Monday, April 6, as a quarantine facility for COVID-19 patients, National Task Force against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Saturday.

"The Rizal Memorial Complex will be operationalized by Monday. We will inspect it and ensure the quality of its facilities,” he said.

Galvez said the Philippine General Hospital can start referring COVID-19 positive asymptomatic and symptomatic patients on Tuesday, April 7.

"Our strategy is to transfer patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms. It will also be manned by three doctors and 50 nurses from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police medical services," Galvez told doctors from private hospitals.

The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex will be accepting patients this week. The facility will house 112 beds & will be manned by our frontliners, the AFP Medical Corps. It is built with private partners Prime BMD & Bloombery of the Razon Group, and designed by Arch. Dan Lichauco. pic.twitter.com/kwV24KkHae

— The BCDA Group (@TheBCDAGroup) April 6, 2020

COVID-19 positive asymptomatic and symptomatic patients referred by PGH will stay in air-conditioned cubicles at Rizal Memorial Coliseum. They will also be given free food, free internet connection, and will be monitored 24/7 by doctors and nurses from the AFP and PNP. The facility will house 112 beds and will be manned by the AFP Medical Corps.

The government partnered with several private firms to help convert Rizal Memorial Complex and other sports complexes and convention centers into quarantine sites.

Galvez also said the distribution of medical supplies such as personal protective equipment to government and private hospitals across Metro Manila is being prioritized by the National Task Force.

On March 31, a total of 15,000 PPEs arrived at Villamor Airbase.

Of this number, 12,000 were delivered immediately to COVID-19 designated hospitals Lung Center of the Philippines, Philippine General Hospital, and Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, as well as the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, and San Lazaro Hospital, the task force said. —KG, GMA News