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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider PH coordinating with cruise lines for COVID-19 monitoring and safety of Filipino crew

PH coordinating with cruise lines for COVID-19 monitoring and safety of Filipino crew

Published Mar 6, 2020 12:00 am
By Roy Mabasa  The Philippine Embassy in Washington DC  is now coordinating with various cruise lines operating in the United States and the Caribbean amid reports that more than 500 Filipino crewmen are among those onboard the MV Grand Princess which was held off the coast of California after two of its passengers reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Grand Princess belongs to Princess Cruises, the same company which operated the coronavirus-stricken ship held off Japan last month on which more than 700 people on board tested positive (INTERPRESS/AFP/File / STRINGER / MANILA BULLETIN) The Grand Princess belongs to Princess Cruises, the same company which operated the coronavirus-stricken ship held off Japan last month on which more than 700 people on board tested positive (INTERPRESS/AFP/File / STRINGER / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) The  Embassy also issued guidelines for all Filipinos in the United States and all other areas and island states under its jurisdiction as it continues to monitor the incidence of COVID-19 in multiple states. MV Grand Princess, a Bermuda-registered cruise ship, is currently being monitored by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when some of its passengers and crew members reportedly showed symptoms of COVID-19. “We strongly urge our fellow Filipinos to heed the advice of health agencies, including frequent hand washing and regular disinfecting of frequently touched objects and surfaces; avoiding contact with people who are sick; staying home when sick, and covering a cough and sneeze with a tissue then throwing the tissue in the trash,” the Embassy said in the statement posted on its website on Thursday night. It reported that as of March 5, 2020, 16 states in the US have reported a total of 152 confirmed and presumptive positive COVID-19 cases -- Arizona (2), California (51), Florida (3), Georgia (2), Illinois (4) Massachusetts (2), Nebraska (13), New Hampshire (2), New York (11), North Carolina (1), Oregon (2), Rhode Island (2), Texas (11), Utah (1), Washington (44) and Wisconsin (1). The Embassy is taking steps to lower the risk of transmission among consular clients and personnel.
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