MORE ISOLATION CENTERS. A school worker cleans a classroom in the Cebu City Central School which is among the 19 Barangay Isolation Centers to cater to asymptomatic Covid-19 patients. Mayor Edgardo Labella on Saturday (May 9, 2020) ordered the activation of more barangay isolation centers as the Covid-19 cases in Cebu City rose to 1,434. (Photo courtesy of Cebu City PIO)
CEBU CITY – The Cebu City Hall has converted 19 school buildings into Barangay Isolation Centers (BIC) for asymptomatic patients as coronavirus disease (Covid-19) here almost hit 1,500 as of Friday.
Dr. Daisy Villa of Cebu City Health Department (CCHD) followed the order of Mayor Edgardo Labella to isolate asymptomatic patients to prevent viral contagion in the capital.
With 1,434 residents tested positive for coronavirus, the Cebu City Hall’s crisis management team decided to set up BICs with a total bed capacity of 2,553 across the city.
Labella said about 1,035 beds are now being used in different BICs that have become operational since they were open for residents listed as Covid-19 positive but have not manifested any influenza-like illnesses such s fever, dry cough, running nose, among others.
While confined at different BICs in the city, patients have been provided with food, water, and other basic necessities.
Personnel from the CCHD and Department of Health (DOH)-Central Visayas closely monitor the patients confined at the BICs.
The Cebu City Hall has installed 236-bed capacity in different schools in the upland villages to accommodate the detainees released from the Cebu City Jail but are ordered to be placed under the imposed 14-day quarantine.
Four persons recently released from the city jail were disallowed to go home straight to their residences in the highland villages of Tabunan and Taptap. They were placed in confinement at the BIC.
Meanwhile, the CCHD transferred most of the 556 confirmed cases from Barangay Mambaling to the nearest elementary school converted into a BIC.
Most of the 194 cases in Barrio Luz, 127 in Labangon, and 129 in Suba were also transferred to the BIC.
Due to the high number of cases in these villages, Labella ordered the activation of BICs in public elementary schools in Mambaling, Barrio Luz, Labangon, and San Nicolas.
As of Saturday, the number of infected barangays in this city has increased to 35.
Apart from the affected barangays, the CCHD has also listed Cebu City Jail with the latest count of positive cases at 332.
The CCHD has recorded seven deaths. (PNA)
