MANILA - Free WiFi will be provided in coronavirus quarantine centers to "alleviate fear and distress" among health workers and isolated patients, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said Wednesday.

The free WiFi hotspots were installed in the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila, Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) and World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM), the DICT said in a statement.

"Free Internet connectivity will help health workers in their submission of situation reports online," the agency said.

"It will also alleviate fear and distress among frontliners and patients by allowing them to keep in-touch with their families and loved ones," it said.

The following quarantine facilities outside Metro Manila will also have free WiFi:
LUZON
- Dagupan City Astrodome in Pangasinan
- New Clark City – Athletes Village in Capas, Tarlac
- City Rest Drive Inn in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

VISAYAS AND MINDANAO
- Sacred Heart School for Boys in Cebu City
- Ateneo de Zamboanga – Lantaka Campus in Zamboanga City

Several quarantine facilities were established across the country as the government expects a rise in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases after the Health department begins its mass testing program.

As of April 14, 5,223 patients have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Philippines. Of these cases, 335 died while 295 recovered.