PH joins call for immediate global ceasefire amid COVID-19 pandemic

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has joined 52 other nations in calling for a “global ceasefire” amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic that has now affected nearly 180 countries and territories worldwide.

In a joint statement, 53 countries have expressed support to the call of United Nation Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for an immediate global ceasefire “in all corners of the world” in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

PH joins 52 other countries in support of @UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres ‘ call for an immediate global ceasefire in light of the #COVID19 pandemic @teddyboylocsin @DFAPHL pic.twitter.com/iFVmRXC3xN

— Philippine Mission to the UN (@PHMissionNY) March 31, 2020

The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic. According to the latest update from the Johns Hopkins University & Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center, the coronavirus has already infected more than 784,000 people and killed over 37,600 in 178 countries and territories. Meanwhile, more than 165,200 people have recovered so far.

“As the global COVID-19 pandemic spreads, we are concerned about the plight of women, children, and all civilians caught in armed conflicts and other humanitarian crises, including the displaced and marginalized, older persons, persons with disabilities, and the wounded, sick, and detainees,” the countries said.

“These populations are already impacted disproportionately by armed conflict. An immediate global ceasefire would markedly reduce these impacts, allow for much-needed humanitarian assistance and protection, and hopefully diminish the spread of COVID-19.”

In the Philippines, the infectious respiratory disease, which was first detected in China’s Hubei Province late last year, has infected 1,546 COVID-19 people as of Monday, 78 of whom have died while 42 have recovered.

The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses has tagged the new coronavirus as SARS-CoV-2 or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

It causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people but experts warned that older persons with preexisting health conditions were more vulnerable to the disease.

To prevent infection, authorities are urging people to practice regular hand washing, cover their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and avoid close contact with those who show symptoms.

/MUF