Lapu-Lapu City Hoops Dome not quarantine facility – DOH Central Visayas

Following the death of an isolated patient in Lapu-Lapu City’s Hoops Dome, the Department of Health in Central Visayas said Monday, March 22, that the said facility was not authorized to accommodate COVID-19 patients for isolation purposes.

The patient who died in the facility was identified as Ramon Castro, a 36-year-old overseas Filipino worker.

According to reports, Castro died of a heart attack while under quarantine in the Hoops Dome on Friday, March 19.

DOH-7’s licensing division immediately conducted an inspection of the said facility on Monday, March 22.

DOH-7 spokesperson Dr Mary Jean Loreche told Rappler through text that the Hoops Dome was only considered a holding area.

“This means that while waiting for a vacancy to an isolation or quarantine facility for admission and transfer, the patient is placed in the Hoops Dome as the designated holding area of Lapu-Lapu City,” she said.

“The DOH has no jurisdiction over a holding facility as this is managed by the LGU,” she added.

According to Loreche, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan already contacted her to discuss plans of transforming the Hoops Dome into a licensed isolation facility.

“They are given the requirements for accreditation to either quarantine or isolation facility,” she said.

“Isolation facilities will require medical manpower to monitor the patients,” she added.

In previous press statements, Chan said that the Hoops Dome was their isolation facility for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients.

In a phone interview with Rappler, however, the mayor clarified that it was a holding area, not an isolation facility.

Chan denied claims that there was no medical team stationed in the facility, which was among the complaints of Castro’s relatives.

“Naa tay mga medical health personnel nga stationed didto nga mubantay sa mga patients didto,” he said.

(We have medical health personnel stationed there who watch over the patients.)

As of Monday, March 22, Lapu-Lapu City has recorded 824 active COVID-19 cases, 136 deaths and 4,334 recoveries. The city recently reported 20 new active cases. —Rappler.com