UNTIL such time that there are more quarantine facilities for Covid-19 patients in Benguet, Governor Melchor Diclas has asked to delay the mass testing in the province.

“We are suggesting for mass testing to be delayed as there are still no facilities. BCDA (Bases Conversion and Development Authority) is scheduled on Thursday (November 5) in Itogon. If we can talk to them to hold the testing and only test those who are close contacts (of coronavirus-positive patients) and persons who are symptomatic,” the chief executive said in the local dialect during a live press briefing.

Last week, the National Task Force Against Covid-19 through the BCDA and John Hay Management Corporation conducted mass testing in Benguet towns and Baguio City.

Diclas said out of the 1,500 swab tests targeted in Itogon, only 974 individuals took the test last week.

The governor said government efforts to prevent-detect-isolate-treat-reintegrate Covid-19 patients are okay, but they do not have isolation facilities.

“We should detect when we have an isolation facility,” Diclas said.

As of Wednesday evening, Benguet has logged 1,425 confirmed cases, with 853 active, 558 recoveries and 14 deaths.

Active cases in Benguet are admitted to hospitals, different isolation facilities, home quarantine and hospitals outside Benguet.

Diclas added with the surge of Covid-19 cases, they are eyeing isolation facilities to be used for active cases.

One isolation facility being eyed is the Venus Dormitories in Baguio City.

Diclas said they are now working on the papers while the national government is talking to the owners of the dorm for the food and rent of the facility.

Personnel and nurses who will work in the dormitory will be from the Department of Health, while municipal and provincial health offices will help identify the patients who will be admitted to the facility.

Diclas said they are also negotiating with Concordia College in La Trinidad, Benguet for an additional 80 to 100 beds for Covid patients.