EAMC uses mobile refrigerator vans for COVID-19 remains

The East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City is currently using mobile refrigerator vans as temporary storage facilities for the remains of patients who died of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as its morgue was full.

According to a 24 report by Victoria Tulad, before the mobile refrigerator vans were used, some of the remains were temporarily placed along t the morgue hallway.

The hospital said its morgue could only fit up to five bodies but there were instances last week that it reached 15 to 20 corpses.

The EAMC, however, said the bodies were placed inside body bags and stretcher beds.

According to EAMC spokesperson Dr. Dennis Ordoña, bodies are supposed to be claimed within six hours but due to the COVID-19 situation, remains are left inside the hospital because they cannot be claimed by relatives or funeral homes.

“Puwede po kasi na dahil po ang mga kamag-anak ng ating pasyente ay mismong PUI o dahil po sa quarantine, hindi nila maasikaso,” Ordoña said.

“Kung hindi namin po ma-contact ‘yong ating mga kamag-anak o hindi po sila makapunta, tayo naman po ay nakiki-coordinate with the local government unit para po makuha. Ayon po kasi sa Sanitation Code of the Philippines, ang local government unit po ang mangangasiwa po sa mga remains po,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health said the situation at the hospital had been resolved and that the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and local governments were coordinating to ensure the proper storage of bodies.

The DILG, on the other hand, issued directives to LGUs on finding private crematoriums for deceased COVID-19 patients.

There were about 50 COVID-related deaths in the hospital since February, Ordoña said.

The country had so far recorded a total of 4,932 cases of COVID-19, including 315 fatalities and 242 recoveries. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/DVM, GMA News