Statement of Secretary Martin Andanar on the reported cases of COVID-19 in PH

Andanar on the reported cases of COVID-19 in PH

With the confirmed local transmission, the Department of Health has raised its alert to Code Red SubLevel 1 and has recommended for President Duterte to declare a Public Health Emergency in order to fast track needed concerted actions and logistics to address the outbreak.

We continue to enjoin the public to remain calm as the Department of Health (DOH) continues to attend to the new confirmed cases of the 2019-Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) reported yesterday and today, and address the implications of the country’s confirmed local transmissions.

The DOH continues to be proactive in addressing the confirmed cases and containing the spread of the virus. It is also in touch with the Office of the President in monitoring the developments. The Office of the President has made note of DOH’s suggestion and has agreed that the President will make the announcement after judiciously taking into consideration all the factors needed in deciding to declare an emergency.

The government is on top of the situation and will continue to undertake necessary actions in containing the spread of this virus. In line with this, we again continue to seek everyone’s participation and cooperation on this matter by continuing to be vigilant, heeding advisories, and by following the preventive measures of DOH of washing or sanitizing their hands, avoiding contact with people who are sick, and observing proper cough etiquette.#

(Statement of Secretary Martin Andanar on the reported cases of COVID-19 in PH, March 7, 2020/PCOO)