SAN SIMON -- The still non-operational dialysis center in this town was temporarily turned into a quarantine facility for suspected coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients.

Mayor Abundio Punsalan, Jr. said the local government made use of the brand new infrastructure to isolate close-contacts of Covid-19-positive patients from this town who are still awaiting swab test results.

"The dialysis center is still non-operational today since we are still waiting for some machines and equipment. So instead of leaving it unused, we temporarily transformed it into quarantine facility," he said.

Punsalan disclosed that the facility has seven beds with secured partitions to ensure that all suspect patients are isolated from each other.

He added that the local government provides for the necessities of individuals who are quarantined in the facility.

"The opening of a local quarantine facility is aimed at helping the provincial government address the shortage of isolation centers as the Covid-19 cases in the province are still on the rise," the mayor said.

He, meanwhile, clarified that close-contacts who test positive will be transferred to the Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Hospital or at the New Clark City for proper medical attention.