By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
Members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) were instructed to wear face masks after the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that the Philippines was now among the countries with a case of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
PSG Commander Brig. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra
(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN) In a text message, PSG commander BGen Jose Eriel Niembra said he has directed PSG personnel to wear face masks as a precautionary measure. "Effective immediately po. Masks are provided by the unit." Meanwhile, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said there was no directive yet for Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) personnel to wear face masks. The DOH confirmed on Thursday that a Chinese woman from Wuhan tested positive for the mysterious new virus. Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the 38-year-old woman was asymptomatic or showing no sign of fever or other symptoms. Duque said the patient came from Wuhan to Cebu via Hong Kong. She then went to Dumaguete before ending up in Manila. The patient is currently being treated at the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila. The confirmation of the first case of the 2019-nCoV in the country prompted President Duterte to finally agree to issue a travel ban on Chinese nationals to the Philippines. The order covers Chinese nationals coming to the country from Wuhan and other parts of China with confirmed cases of the disease. In a statement, Andanar backed President Duterte's decision to impose an indefinite travel ban, saying such an undertaking was necessary. He likewise asked the public to heed the precautionary measures and safety advisories being promulgated. "Please avoid crowded places as much as possible, use mask and gloves, and practice proper hygiene, in order to reduce any exposure to and transmission of the 2019-nCoV," Andanar said.
PSG Commander Brig. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN) In a text message, PSG commander BGen Jose Eriel Niembra said he has directed PSG personnel to wear face masks as a precautionary measure. "Effective immediately po. Masks are provided by the unit." Meanwhile, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said there was no directive yet for Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) personnel to wear face masks. The DOH confirmed on Thursday that a Chinese woman from Wuhan tested positive for the mysterious new virus. Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the 38-year-old woman was asymptomatic or showing no sign of fever or other symptoms. Duque said the patient came from Wuhan to Cebu via Hong Kong. She then went to Dumaguete before ending up in Manila. The patient is currently being treated at the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila. The confirmation of the first case of the 2019-nCoV in the country prompted President Duterte to finally agree to issue a travel ban on Chinese nationals to the Philippines. The order covers Chinese nationals coming to the country from Wuhan and other parts of China with confirmed cases of the disease. In a statement, Andanar backed President Duterte's decision to impose an indefinite travel ban, saying such an undertaking was necessary. He likewise asked the public to heed the precautionary measures and safety advisories being promulgated. "Please avoid crowded places as much as possible, use mask and gloves, and practice proper hygiene, in order to reduce any exposure to and transmission of the 2019-nCoV," Andanar said.