Still no need for ‘panic-buying’ of face masks, says DOH

MANILA, Philippines — Despite the addition of two more cases of new coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country, the Department of Health said on Friday that there is still no need for the public to start “panic-buying” for face masks.

In a press briefing, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said only health workers and those experiencing respiratory illness should wear face masks.

“Ulit-ulitin ko, pagka wala namang maysakit, hindi na kailangan mag-face mask. Iwan na natin ang face mask para sa health workers na silang frontliners sa pangangalaga sa atin pong mga may sakit,” he said when asked about his advice to the public who may feel the need to stock up on such medical supplies.

(I reiterate that if you are not sick, you don’t need to wear a face mask. Let us reserve the face masks to the health workers who are the frontliners in taking care of patients.)

Duque also advised those who are experiencing respiratory symptoms to stay at home and rest.

Even before the DOH reported the first case of COVID-19 in the country, drugstores in Metro Manila already ran out of face masks and disinfectants.

Earlier, DOH announced that two Filipinos had contracted COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to five. The first new case is a 48-year-old Filipino who traveled from Japan, and a 62-year-old Filipino who regularly visits a prayer hall in San Juan City.

Both infected patients are residents of Metro Manila and are now isolated at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City, a DOH-accredited facility where samples are being tested for COVID-19.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the following are tips to prevent the spread of the deadly disease:

* Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
* Stay home when you are sick;
* Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash;
* Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe;
* Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing;
* If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol;
* Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

EDV