News Roundup 31 January 2020
Jan 31, 2020 • 1 min Read
Novel coronavirus scare drifts toward Mindanao | INQUIRER.NET – A day after the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the first case of novel coronavirus (nCoV) infection in the Philippines on Thursday (Jan. 30) and hours after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it as a global health emergency, a climate of fear gripped Mindanao. This could be among the reasons for a frenzy of facial mask-buying that sent supplies vanishing within hours.
‘Don’t waste time’: Robredo says gov’t must act quickly vs spread of coronavirus | PHILSTAR.COM – Vice President Leni Robredo said the government should fast-track measures to limit the spread of novel coronavirus after the World Health Organization declared a global emergency over the SARS-like illness. “Wala na tayong panahon para sa mahabang usapan. Buhay ng tao ang nakasalalay kaya agarang aksyon, tamang impormasyon at mabilisang desisyon ang kailangan,” Robredo said in a statement Friday. (We don’t have time for long discussions. The lives of people are at stake here so immediate action, right information and fast decision-making are needed.)
PNP warns traders against hoarding masks, alcohol as nCoV triggers panic buying | Manila Bulletin – Individuals and storeowners who will hoard masks, alcohol, vitamins, and other supplies will be arrested as the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV) triggered panic buying among fearful residents, the Philippine National Police (PNP) warned Friday.
WHO declares global emergency over China virus | The Manila Times – GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak sparked by a new virus in China that has spread to more than a dozen countries as a global emergency Thursday after the number of cases spiked more than tenfold in a week. The UN health agency defines an international emergency as an “extraordinary event” that constitutes a risk to other countries and requires a coordinated international response.
