KALIBO, Aklan – Classrooms of the Kalibo Elementary School and Kalibo Integrated School Education Center in Barangay Poblacion will be converted into quarantine facilities for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
They will ease the congestion in the quarantine facilities of the municipal government – the Ati-Atihan County Inn in Barangay Poblacion, The Premiere Business Hotel in Barangay Andagao and the Kalibo regional evacuation center in Barangay Tigayon.
Mayor Emerson Lachica said the two schools were suitable for the isolation of COVID-19 cases because these conformed to existing Department of Health’s health and sanitation standards and guidelines.
Aklan Schools Division Superintendent Miguel Mac Aposin said the local government unit is allowed to use specified Department of Education facilities as temporary isolation facilities as a last resort.
The preparation and operation of 40 classrooms as isolation facilities would be shouldered by the local government of Kalibo.
Healthcare workers will perform daily assessment of patients while security personnel will maintain order and monitor the entrance and exits of the converted isolation facilities.
As of July 3, the capital town of Kalibo recorded 199 active COVID-19 cases including 23 admitted in hospitals. There were 1,204 confirmed cases in Kalibo, while 42 people died from COVID-19 related complications.
“Follow our health protocols to reduce transmission of the virus such as wearing of facemasks and physical distancing. Magsakripisyo kita para magnaba ru mga kaso it COVID,” Lachica stressed.
Aklan shifted to the stricter general community quarantine on July 1 due to rising COVID-19 cases./PN
