CNN Philippines goes temporarily off air for building disinfection

MANILA, Philippines — CNN Philippines will temporarily stop broadcasting for at least 24 hours after a confirmed case of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was reported in the building where the media company holds office.

CNN Philippines will go off the air while the management of Worldwide Corporate Center — where the broadcasting firm is located in Mandaluyong City — disinfects its premises.

“Today we received word that there is one confirmed case of the coronavirus at Worldwide Corporate Center along Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong, where CNN Philippines is located,” broadcasting firm said in a statement on Wednesday.

“As a result, the management of Worldwide Corporate Center will disinfect the premises as soon as possible. That means we will be off the air for at least 24 hours,” it added.

https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines/status/1240078261616439297?s=21

CNN Philippines clarified that the COVID-19 patient came from another company that also holds office in the same building but is located on a different floor.

https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines/status/1240093477192347648?s=21

The media network assured it is prepared for such an emergency as many of its employees have been isolated and working from home for more than two weeks already.

It will continue to deliver news via its website and social media platforms, CNN Philippines added.

To date, there are 187 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country. Fourteen individuals have so far died while six have recovered from the disease.

READ: DOH records 45 new cases of COVID-19; total now at 187

READ: DOH: 2 more COVID-19 patients die; total PH death count now 14

President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the whole country under a state of calamity for a period of six months “unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant.”

The declaration will allow local government units (LGUs) to access their respective quick response funds during emergency situations.

All law enforcement agencies are likewise directed “to undertake all necessary measures to ensure peace and order in the affected areas, as may be necessary,” with the support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines,

The President has also placed the entirety of Luzon was placed under “enhanced community quarantine” starting March 17 until April 13.

READ: Duterte: Philippines now under state of calamity due to COVID-19

Under an enhanced community quarantine, “strict home quarantine shall be implemented in all households; transportation shall be suspended; provision for food and essential services shall be regulated, and heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures will be implemented.”

READ: Mass transport suspended all over Luzon under enhanced quarantine

READ: Luzon now under ‘enhanced community quarantine’ – Palace

The country was also earlier placed under a state of public health emergency due to the virus threat.

The Department of Health (DOH) also hoisted a Code Red Sublevel 2, which is raised when evidence of community transmission and prevalence of cases beyond what the government can address.

Most people who have COVID-19 can recover as its symptoms are mild, such as fever and cough. But the illness can be more serious for others, possibly leading to pneumonia, especially older adults and those with existing health problems.

The World Health Organization declared the disease as a global pandemic after it killed nearly 5,000 people and infected 110,000 others worldwide.

The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses named the novel coronavirus as SARS-CoV-2.

The virus causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people but can cause serious illness such as pneumonia for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems.

Coronavirus is a family of viruses, which surfaces have a crown-like appearance. The viruses are named for the spikes on their surfaces.

Edited by MUF