CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Sports Center, a mega isolation center for COVID-19 patients in Cebu City, will not only accommodate asymptomatic patients but also serve as an “escalation or de-escalation facility” for symptomatic patients.
At the blessing rites yesterday, Dr. Sophia Mancao, chief of the regulation and licensing enforcement division of Department of Health in Central Visayas, said the facility will also be used to accommodate symptomatic patients, considering that it has the space for expansion.
Mancao joined Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Acting Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros during the blessing of the mega isolation center.
The sports center was initially envisioned to house only those COVID-19 patients who are not exhibiting the visible signs and symptoms of the illness.
With COVID-19 cases in Cebu City increasing, officials said the opening of the facility is timely.
As of August 7, Cebu City is home to 3,586 active cases, according to the case of bulletin of DOH-7.
If the Noah Complex is used to isolate patients who are mainly asymptomatic, this mega isolation center at CCSC is envisioned as an upgraded version because of its other areas that can be used for isolation.
“This time, mosaka-saka na ta..escalate na ta. This could be a facility for patients with symptoms to initial stay in… first 24 to 48 hours that need oxygen. If mo-progress (condition of the patient), then that is the time na i-transfer na sa hospital,” said Mancao.
Mancao also said it can also serve as a “step-down” facility for patients who are already in stable condition but need to complete their quarantine time yet.
With this strategy, more rooms in the hospitals can be freed up for those who need them the most.
Officials also plan to open the CCSC facility to pregnant women and children infected with COVID-19, although this is yet being finalized.
Councilor Edu Rama, who is tasked to oversee the facility, said it can accommodate around 200 patients. However, he said this can be expanded since the classrooms at Abellana National School are also available.
“We are putting up this facility in case the number of people infected with COVID-19 increases. But we hope that it will not be used,” Councilor Rama said.
It was learned that the initial budget for the mega isolation center is pegged at P5 million, majority of which will be used to purchase necessary equipment.
To save government funds, the councilor said some of the beds and other materials used previously at the New Normal Oasis for Adaptation and a Home (Noah) complex in the South Road Properties have been utilized.
Amid the temporary conversion of the sports center into an isolation facility, and its consequent temporary closure soon to sports enthusiasts, CCSC workers will not lose their jobs since they will still report as maintenance crew of the facility.
Around 50 of them will be working on shifts as the operations will soon be 24/7. — Sanden J. Anadia, JMD (FREEMAN)