By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The city government of Bacolod is now making their own preparations against the possible entry of the Delta variant of COVID-19.

City Administrator Em Ang said they have already identified several schools which would be used as isolation facilities for patients infected with the Delta variant.

Ang said one of the schools being considered is the Mariano G. Medalla Integrated Elementary School in the city’s Barangay Pahanocoy.

She pointed out if the Delta variant enters the city, they need to isolate the patient at a different quarantine facility in order to prevent the variant from further spreading.

Bacolod City and Negros Occidental are still free from the more transmissible Delta variant.

Last week, Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said the province is also making preparations for the possible entry of the Delta variant.

Diaz said they are looking at improving the efficiency of the capitol-operated oxygen plant located near the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City to step up production.

At present, the plant is producing 70 oxygen tanks a day, roughly equal to more than 1,540 per month.

Diaz said hospitals in the province consume at least 1,200 oxygen tanks per month, and with the present production capacity, there is at least a buffer of 340 tanks./DGB, WDJ