MANILA (UCAN): Church officials in the Philippines have joined calls for the public to be vigilant over the reported spread of a deadly new Wuhan coronavirus across parts of Asia.
Bishop Oscar Florencio of the Episcopal Commission on Health Care, said people should “exercise extra vigilance because we are responsible also for the greater good of the majority.”
The bishop called on Philippine officials to “do things swiftly” to address the reported spread of the Wuhan coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
“But let us not create panic as well,” Bishop Florencio said as he called on those who think they have symptoms of the virus to immediately seek medical attention.
“First and foremost, we have to exercise prudence here, both personally and collectively,” he said, adding, “If one thinks he needs to see a doctor because of some suspicion about coronavirus-like symptoms, please let us be prudent enough to do it so that we can arrest the sickness right away.”
Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga, called on Catholics in his diocese to recite a special prayer for the prevention and control of the virus.
The prayer called on God to “control and prevent a global epidemic of coronavirus” and to give those infected “hope and courage.”
The Philippine Department of Health announced that it is investigating the case of a five-year old boy who travelled from Wuhan, China, to Cebu. The boy reportedly developed a fever, throat irritation and cough prior to arriving in the Philippines.
Several Philippine airports have already installed thermal scanners to increase surveillance on passengers flying in from overseas, especially China.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
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The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said security measures in airports that have direct flights to and from Wuhan are in place.
More than 600 cases of Wuhan coronavirus have been reported across China, the United States, South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Macao and Taiwan.
Philippine health secretary, Francisco Duque III, said there was no confirmed case yet in the Philippines.
China has already imposed measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including locking down Wuhan and several other cities.
The World Health Organisation said coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to diseases like MERS and SARS.
