The Cebu City government opens a ‘Mega’ Covid isolation facility in anticipation of a surge in Covid-19 infections. | PIO Cebu City
Cebu City is preparing for a surge in Covid-19 infections by opening a “Mega Stay-in Center.”
Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama led on Sunday the opening of the 150-bed facility located at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
Rama said the additional isolation facility was in anticipation of a possible increase in infections Due to the Delta variant.
The facility, he said, would be used if the seven Barangay Isolation Centers (BIC) became full.
Councilor Eduardo Rama Jr. said some P5 million had been set aside to operate all isolation facilities in the city.
The BICs are part of the Department of Health’s triaging strategy where asymptomatic Covid patients are placed in isolation facilities while moderate to severe cases are sent to hospitals.
Dr. Jaime Bernadas, director of DOH in Central Visayas, said the increase in Covid infections and deaths could be attributed to the Delta variant but said this was not yet confirmed by thorough data analysis.
The city has recorded at least 27 deaths since Aug. 1.
As of writing, Cebu City has the second highest number of new daily infections in the region, at 353.
The province of Cebu led with 526 new cases, followed by the highly urbanized cities of LapuLapu and Mandaue with 180 and 96, respectively. Ryan Sorote