MANILA -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is preparing to turn-over additional hospital facilities for patients' treatment especially with the reported more transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).  

DPWH Secretary and Chief Isolation Czar Mark A. Villar said that additional hospital beds will soon be available with the construction of modular health facilities that will manage a possible surge of Covid-19 patients considered severe and critical conditions that will require hospitalization.  

In his report to Secretary Villar, Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain said that three (3) cluster units of off-site hospital facility are being readied for completion this August 9 at the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) compound.  

Starting August 6 to 20, Metro Manila will return to tightened restrictions or lockdown mode under enhanced community quarantine to prevent a possible surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant.  

According to Undersecretary Sadain, head of DPWH Task Force to Facilitate Augmentation of Health Facilities, these three (3) modular hospital units at the LCP in Quezon Avenue, Quezon City has 66 beds to manage a possible surge. 

Construction of additional two (2) cluster units with 44 rooms are also nearing completion, with one (1) cluster unit to be assigned as intensive care unit (ICU) facility for patients needing higher level of medical monitoring and complex treatment. 

Likewise, a 16-room off-site dormitory equipped with toilet and bath, and double decker beds for 32 people will be constructed.  

The inclusion of dormitory facility with kitchen and laundry area as temporary living quarters for off duty hospital workers is meant to improve the billeting conditions of LCP frontliners who will be dealing the surge of Covid-19 cases.  (DPWH)