NGOV COVID-19
NEWSLETTER
CORONAVIRUS IN
PHILIPPINES: THE
COVID-19 RISK,
IMPACT AND
MEASURES
Philippines, one of the high-risk countries
from the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak,
recorded the first death outside China. The
government has announced lock-down of
Metro Manila and is mulling over more
localised lock-downs as the nCoV cases MANILA, Philippines (4th UPDATE) – The
increase gradually and the WHO declaring Philippine government is set to place the
coronavirus as a pandemic. entire island of Luzon, home to over 57
million people, on lockdown in a bid to
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an contain the spread of the coronavirus
infectious disease caused by a new strain disease.
of coronavirus. This new virus and disease In a recorded message aired Monday evening,
were unknown before the outbreak began March 16, President Rodrigo Duterte said: "I
in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. have come to the conclusion that stricter
measures are necessary. For this reason,
On 30 January 2020, the Philippine pursuant to my powers as President under the
Department of Health reported the first Constitution and RA 11332 (Law on Reporting
case of COVID-19 in the country with a 38- of Communicable Diseases), I am placing the
year-old female Chinese national. On 7 entire mainland of Luzon under quarantine
March, the first local transmission of until April 12, 2020."
COVID-19 was confirmed. WHO is working After going off tangent, Duterte later clarified
closely with the Department of Health in this would be an "enhanced community
responding to the COVID-19 outbreak. quarantine:"
TRACKING COVID-19
CASES
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 8:27
p.m.) — The Philippines recorded two
new infections, raising the domestic
tally of cases to 142 on Monday, as the
government implemented far-reaching
measures to arrest the spread of the
pandemic.
The Department of Health also reported
the recovery of a confirmed case, bringing
the number of recovered patients in the
country to three.
A 46-year-old male from Pasay City,
identified as Patient 14, was discharged
from Makati Medical Center after testing
negative twice for COVID-19.
DOH said the Filipino male had no travel
history and had no known exposure to
confirmed cases.
EDITORIAL: LOCKDOWN
Earlier, two Chinese tourists—identified as Classes at all levels in both public and private schools
Patient 1 and Patient 2—fully recovered have been suspended for a week in Metro Manila to
from the illness. allow for a thorough cleanup and decontamination.
In total, 12 people have died from COVID-19 Broadcast networks have suspended live audience
in the country. participation. Authorities are considering flexi-work, a
Elderly people and those with underlying four-day workweek and increased telecommuting.
medical conditions such as cardiovascular
disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung These are just some of the measures being implemented
disease and immunosuppression are at or under discussion as the country confronts the growing
higher risk of contracting the disease. 2019 coronavirus disease contagion. The epicenter, not
surprisingly, is the country’s most heavily populated
region, Metro Manila.
After several hours of meeting with mayors of the
National Capital Region and key Cabinet members on
Monday at Malacañang, President Duterte faced the press
at around 1 a.m. yesterday and announced the class
suspension, but ruled out a Metro-wide lockdown.
Implementing such a lockdown, in the first place, could
be complicated in this country where people from all
walks of life think they can be exempted from laws and
rules for the flimsiest reasons. As in quarantines, a
lockdown for public health is best implemented if people
themselves voluntarily go along with the measure, fully
aware of its objectives and usefulness.
With the lockdown option still on the table for the
PUBLISHED by: G11-06 STM Philippines, authorities may consider testing it first in a
particular area. It will allow authorities to assess the types
CADDAWAN, Rica Mae and number of personnel required for such a measure,
MONTER, John Paul the logistics involved, the problems that arise, plus the
specific metrics to determine the effectiveness of such a
RIVERA, Naomi
move.
TUDINO, Gerald