Public urged to stay calm as PH records 1st novel coronavirus case

People wait to buy protective masks at a store in Manila, Philippines on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. Health Secretary Francisco Duque confirmed the Philippines’ first case of a new virus that has infected thousands in China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

MANILA, Philippines — After health officials confirmed the first case of the novel coronavirus in the Philippines, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Thursday called on the public to remain calm as necessary precautionary measures are already in place to address this health concern.

“We ask the public not to panic and to remain calm as the government, especially the Department of Health (DOH), is on top of the situation,” Andanar said in a statement.

“We would like to assure them that the relevant health, research, and law enforcement agencies are working together to prevent the disease from spreading.”

According to Andanar, the DOH is in constant coordination with health and research authorities in Australia, Japan, and China on implementing necessary undertakings.

The Palace official also assured that the government will continue to conduct necessary stringent customs, immigration, and quarantine measures to prevent the disease from spreading within the country.

A coronavirus hotline will be created to assist overseas Filipinos, Andanar said.

The DOH earlier confirmed that a female Chinese is the country’s first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection.

Health officials said the 38-year-old woman the woman had traveled to the Philippines from Wuhan, China, via Hong Kong on January 21. She sought treatment on January 25 due to a mild cough.

With over 7,000 confirmed cases and over a hundred deaths, the novel coronavirus outbreak has already caused global alarm, prompting countries to beef up precautionary measures to avoid its entry.

Most of the confirmed cases were recorded in the central Chinese province of Hubei, the epicenter of the outbreak, where several cities, including Wuhan, have been placed under lockdown.

The outbreak has already reached several countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United States, Nepal, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia.