Daycare center converted into isolation facility for cops

Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), inspects on Wednesday the daycare center that was converted into a temporary isolation facility for suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. (Photo courtesy of Nocppo)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) provided a temporary isolation facility for police officers who manifest flu-like symptoms amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, Nocppo director, said they converted a daycare center inside the headquarters here into a quarantine area.

The isolation facility will cater to police officers who fall ill while manning border check-up points and other COVID-19-related work.

The facility can accommodate four to eight individuals. It is equipped with beds, blankets, two airconditioned units, and a comfort room.

Four police nurses will be assigned to attend to the patients. They are equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including modified hospital gowns, face shields, hairnets, and face masks.

Baleros said the facility is now operational.

“This is part of our preparations since our policemen are exposed outside risking their lives to protect the people,” he added.

Baleros also said that he is planning to convert the newly-constructed Adoration Chapel inside the headquarters into another temporary quarantine facility.

It can accommodate five individuals and will be operational next week.

He said four police nurses will also be assigned to the second isolation facility.