Palace seriously concerned over coronavirus threat

January 29, 2020

Malacanang admitted on Wednesday that it is seriously concerned with the spread of novel coronavirus in other countries.

In an interview, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Department of Health (DOH) to determine a better procedure in handling the problem.

"We're looking at it with serious concern so the President has instructed the DOH secretary to study and evaluate what better procedure should be taken in order to contain, stop the coming in of this disease in this country," he said.

But at the same time, Panelo said the public has nothing to be worried about.

"I talked with (Health) Secretary (Francisco) Duque ( II), he said we don't have to worry but we have to make ourselves conscious of the fact that there may be some virus coming...so we have to protect ourselves by avoiding crowds. If we have to be there we have to wear a mask. We have to wash our hands," Panelo said.

Duque said so far there is no confirmed case of the new coronavirus in the country.

But the DOH has been monitoring 24 individuals with flu symptoms. Celerina Monte/DMS