Not just yet.

The Manila Covid-19 Field Hospital at the Luneta Park should not be dismantled now as it may still be needed in the event of future Covid-19 case surges from the emerging variants.

According to research professor Guido David, during his guesting at the "Balitaan sa Tinapayan" media forum, the prudent thing to do is to keep the facility since the Covid-19 is not yet over.

However, David conceded that Covid cases have been sliding down even in the face of the new variants of the virus whose original strain came from Wuhan, China in 2019, causing millions of deaths so far worldwide.

Managed by the city government of Manila, the field hospital is, however, open even to non-residents needing Covid medical care or isolation.

During the time of then-Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, a notice had been sent to the LGU to dismantle the hospital.

Presently, the field facility is also serving arriving overseas Filipino workers instead of bringing them to hotels for quarantining and observation if showing symptoms.

Domagoso and his then Vice Mayor now Mayor Honey Lacuna had the Luneta field hospital built to augment the six district hospitals of Manila in taking in Covid patients.

David noted that some parts of the country are still reeling from Covid cases, like Tarlac and Bicol, thus it's always a possibility that cases could also rise elsewhere like in Manila.

He said it would be "premature" to dismantle the field hospital as a more virulent and deadly form of Covid could still emerge. "It's better if we are prepared," he said.

Built at the huge lawn fronting the Quirino Grandstand, the field hospital had been standing on a property under the management of the Department of Tourism's National Park and Development Committee.
The NPDC has reportedly given the hospital several extensions after issuing it a dismantle and vacate order.