FROM close to a combined 3,000 patients last summer, Covid-19 victims recuperating in Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) sports facilities turned quarantine or healing centers are now almost empty, if not empty.
According to PSC consultant for security concerns Angel Dayag Sr., there are no more patients at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium (NAS) and Rizal Memorial Coliseum (RMC) at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila, as of Monday.
At the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, Dayag said only seven patients are recuperating from the virus.
“Take note, there was no recorded death in these PSC facilities,” Dayag said.
The Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases commissioned the three PSC facilities as quarantine and healing centers at the start of strict safety and health protocols in March last year.
In April 2020, 1,493 patients were confined at the NAS, while the RMC accommodated 482 individuals and the PhilSports recorded 727.
Dayag said the NAS is temporarily closed for decontamination, repair and maintenance.
The RMC recently had five repatriated overseas Filipino workers last month but Dayag said they were already discharged.
“The RMC is on standby to accept patients if the Bagong Nayong Pilipino becomes full,” Dayag said.
The Bagong Nayong Pilipino in Tambo, Parañaque City, was also designated as a healing and quarantine center.
PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, chef de mission to the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games, said athletes still couldn’t use the NAS, RMC and PhilSports for training.
“We still have to wait for the IATF to decommission these facilities from the pandemic,” Fernandez said.
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