A passenger wearing a mask gestures as they arrive at Manila’s international airport, Philippines, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. The government is closely monitoring arrival of passengers as a new coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China has infected hundreds and caused deaths in that area. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
MANILA, Philippines — Several members of the House of Representatives on Thursday reminded the public to stay calm and be cautious after the health department confirmed the first case of the 2019 novel coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV, in the country.
Quezon Rep. Angelina “Helen” Tan, who chairs the House committee on health, expressed confidence that the government, particularly the Department of Health (DOH), has measures in place in response to the health hazard.
“It has been made clear during the Question Hour with Secretary Francisco Duque that the necessary health protocol and infrastructure are in place to accommodate 2019-nCoV patients,” Tan said.
“I call on the public to be calm, cautious, and responsible by observing cleanliness, coughing etiquette, and personal hygiene at all times,” she added.
Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor, vice-chairperson of the health committee in the lower chamber, called on those who came from Wuhan or those who have visited the place to have themselves checked immediately.
“Again, I caution against discrimination and witch hunting. We are here to help one another and not to put blame,” Defensor said.
The lawmaker also commended the health department for being able to track the person infected by the virus.
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said that President Rodrigo Duterte should appoint Health Secretary Francisco Duque III as vice chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) so that he can use the NDRRMC ecosystem similar to the case in the 2009 H1N1 epidemic.
“That gives him access to the entire [government] disaster response machinery and resources,” Salceda said.
Salceda, likewise, reminded the public to only trust information from the health department.
“Keep informed, stay alert since it is easy to be silly in this period of uneven but torrential flow of news,” he said.
The health department on Thursday announced that a Chinese woman is the country’s first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection.
Duque said the woman arrived in the country from Wuhan, China via Hong Kong on January 21, before seeking medical attention four days later due to a mild cough.
The virus, which surfaced in the city of Wuhan, has taken the lives of 170 people in China alone.
Duque urged Filipinos to “stay calm and remain vigilant at all times.”