The Department of Public Works and Highways said three more units of modular hospitals are expected to rise within the Quezon Institute compound in Quezon City by February 2021.
In a statement, the DPWH said these will have a total capacity of 66 beds that will help address the urgent need for more medical facilities for COVID-19 patients.
The new units will be in addition to the two newly-completed modular hospitals in the same compound that were turned over by the DPWH to the Department of Health on Tuesday. The two COVID-19 facilities with a bed capacity of 44 -- all with air conditioning units and one toilet each -- will be used by moderate and severe COVID-19 patients. They will have a copper tube for oxygen and tanks, separate nursing station, equipment laboratory, storage, and CCTV lines, among others.
Also turned over with the modular hospitals are two dormitories with 64 beds for medical personnel. The facilities will be operated by medical teams from the DOH and the Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital. Public Works and Highways Secretary and isolation czar Mark Villar formed a task force that would handle construction of isolation and health facilities across the country to address shortage in hospital beds due to the COVID-19 pandemic., especially in Metro Manila that is still considered the epicenter of the pandemic in the country. They have also urged the public to refrain from holding gatherings during the holiday season to prevent transmission.