The Department of Health (DOH) said it is now eyeing a longer quarantine period for Filipinos who may be exposed to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) on board the cruise ship, Diamond Princess, which is currently docked in Japan.
During a press briefing on Monday, Health assistant secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the over 400 Filipinos, who are expected to be repatriated this week, may have to undergo another 14-day quarantine period once they arrive in the country.
“That’s why when they get here, even though they have finished already their 14-day quarantine aboard the ship in Japan, we are going to have the 14-day quarantine period also here in the Philippines,” Vergeire said.
She said they adopted the precautionary measures since they are not sure when the Filipinos from Diamond Princess were exposed to Covid-19.
Another factor for the measure, Vergeire said, were reports on the differing incubation period of Covid-19 which would be less or more than 14-days.
“There have been a lot of accounts, where their incubation period was nine-day or 19 days,” Vergeire said.
Vergeire said they are still looking at the credibility of these reports, but for now they are maintaining the 14-day quarantine rule.
The repatriated OFWs will be brought to the Athlete’s Village in New Clark City, which currently serves as a quarantine facility for Filipinos, who may have been exposed to Covid-19 abroad.
As of Feb. 24, DOH said there are currently 4 Filipinos abroad, who were infected with Covid-19: one in Singapore; two in the United Arab Emirates (UAE); and one in Hong Kong.
Also included are the 59 Filipinos on board Diamond Princess, who also tested positive from Covid-19.
Despite the increasing number of infected Filipinos, the government has yet to impose additional travel bans in relation to Covid 19.
The government has enforced a total travel ban to and from China and partial travel restrictions to and from Macau and Hong Kong.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the government is considering imposing a travel ban to and from South Korea due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the said country.
As of Feb. 23, the World Health Organization (WHO) said there are 602 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the said country.
59 Pinoys have Covid-19
An official of the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said that 59 of the 538 Filipinos from the Diamond Princess cruise ship are confirmed to have the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said their repatriation will take place today (February 25) the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases approved their repatriation and quarantine plan.
Vergeire added that more than 400 negative, asymptomatic patients will be repatriated.
“The repatriation of our kababayans is of utmost priority to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and this government. We are determined to ensure that our countrymen will come back safe and healthy. DOH has implemented mechanisms to ensure a seamless repatriation process for our fellow Filipinos,” Health Secretary Duque Francisco Duque III said.
Under the repatriation plan, DOH will screen and only allow the repatriation of Filipinos who tested negative for COVID-19.
Those found negative for the coronavirus will be checked for signs and symptoms of respiratory illness, and only asymptomatic individuals will be allowed to disembark from the ship, take the bus to the airport, and board the aircraft back to the Philippines.
While aboard the aircraft from Japan to Clark International Airport, regular monitoring will be done and individuals who will manifest signs of respiratory illness will be separated and isolated in one area of the aircraft.
Upon landing and disembarkation, another screening will be conducted.
Those who will manifest signs of respiratory illness during the flight will immediately be brought to an identified hospital for isolation and management while those who were asymptomatic throughout the flight will be directly transferred to the quarantine facility at New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac.
During the 14-day quarantine procedure, 20 medical teams from DOH hospitals will manage the quarantine facility to provide appropriate health services. Patients will be checked twice a day and provided with food and basic provisions.
“We will ensure that Infection Control and Quarantine Protocols will be strictly followed by our kababayans and the health workers that will man the quarantine facility. DOH and its partners will be working double hard to ensure the safety and welfare of the quarantined patients, as well as civilians in the vicinity,” the Health Chief said.
Locsin lauds Singapore
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr., praised the government of Singapore for taking care of a Filipino, who has been placed under hospital quarantine due to COVID-2019 infection.
“Thank you, Singapore. Let us know when we can take the Filipino home,” Locsin said in his official Twitter account. “I cannot imagine we can deny that to a Filipino. But it is great good fortune it was discovered there because SG (Singapore) has intelligent capabilities.”
The Philippine Embassy in the Lion City has confirmed “that a Filipino national in Singapore has tested positive for COVID-19,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement, quoting a report from the Embassy, that “the Filipino is now warded in an isolation room in one of Singapore’s hospitals.”
DFA added that personal details of the patient were not shared by the Singapore’s Ministry of Health in line with its privacy policy.
“The Embassy is in close coordination with the Ministry of Health of Singapore and stands ready to provide all consular assistance to the patient as needed. In the meantime, everyone is requested to respect the patient’s privacy.”
At the same time, the DFA encouraged all Filipinos in Singapore “to continue to maintain vigilance, observe proper hygiene, avoid crowds or large gatherings and frequently monitor personal health.”
“Those who develop fever, cough, sore throat and difficulty in breathing, are advised to see a doctor immediately.”
Samuel Medenilla, Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco and Recto Mercene
Image credits: AP