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Philippines containing coronavirus; no outbreak yet
By Vann Mailo M. Villegas Repo/tel
Chamaine A. Tadalan Reporter
anaGenshen L. Espedido
THE Philippines is at the "containment
stage" in its fight against a deadly coro-
navirus strain that has killed hundreds
in China ar.rd sickened thousarids more,
health authorities said on Monday'
The vims had not been transmitted in
cominunities and the government was
trlng to isolate cases of infection, the
Research lnstiLute for Tropical Medicine
(ffITM) said at a briefing at the presiden-
tial palace.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 2O2O
"We are trying to prevent.the virus
from spreading to the community bY
identifying cases who can possibly have
been infected," RITM Director Celia C.
Carlos said.
Ms. Carlos urged peoPle who have
recently traveled to China to follow quar-
antine procedures. "If you start experi
encing symptoms, report to the hospital
authorities for evaluation."
About 80 people in the Philippines
were under inveStigation for the novel
coronavirus, while one of two confirmed
people - both Chinese nationals from
Hubei province where tlre virus had first
been detected - had died, the Depart-
ment of Health said.
The death of the 44-year-old Chinese
man, who died of severe Pneumonia in
the Philippines, was the first coronavi-
rus-related deattr outside China.
Health authorities said 67 of the 80
have been isolated. while 10 have been
dischargedbut$'ere stillbeingmonitored.
Hgalth Secretary Francisco T. Duque
III tr'aced t}le increase in the numberpeo-
ple r+der investigation to the agencies
improl€d efforts and expanded coverage.
"It means surveillance has been im-
proved," he said at a televised briefing.
The World Health O rganiza tion
(WHO) has declared a global health
emergency as the new deadly coronevi-
firs strain that'came from China spread
to more than 20 countdes, including the
Philippines.
WHO cited tfle potentid for the virus
to spread to countries urith wea]{er health
systems, and rvhich are ill-prepared to
deal with it.
.DO1{'T PANIC
There were more than IZ0oo confirmed
cases worldwide, and at least 362 people
to the
in China have died, according
World Health Organization The vasi
majority of the cases are inChina.
i
Rabindra R, Abeyasinghe' WHO's
representative in the Philippines, said
WHO was confident that the coronavirus
outbreak could be contained.
He urged the public to practice proper
hygiene, wear fdce masks and take pre-
.' cautions if they showsigns of respiratory
infection.
- "We need the public to act rationally.
It is important that we don't panic un-
necessarily," Mr. Abeyasinghe said,
The Health department is seeking Pl
billion in supplemental budget to fight
the virus, said Quezon Rep, AngelinaDL.
Tan, who heads thi] health committee.
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