12 March 2020

To                  The University Community

From              Norman Dennis E. Marquez, MD
                       University Physician

Subject          Advisory on the Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), Bulletin #19

 
Situation summary:

·         From DOH, a total of 763 Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) recorded; 33 are confirmed (+) for SARS-CoV-2; 632 tested (-); 31 pending results (as of 12nn, 11 March 2020)

·         DOH confirms 10 (Mar 9) and 13 (Mar 10) new COVID-19 patients in various states of health; most presented with fever, cough, and sore throat; more local transmission documented

·         There are now 95 total number of countries with reported COVID-19 incidence

o   China, Singapore, S Korea, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Philippines, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Thailand, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, USA, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, UK, Russia, Belgium, Finland, Spain, Sweden, UAE, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Israel, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, Austria, Croatia, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Belarus, Netherlands, Norway, Greece, Estonia, Croatia, Algeria, Nigeria, Romania, North Macedonia, Denmark, Georgia, Lithuania, New Zealand, San Marino, Iceland, Azerbaijan, Ireland, Monaco, Qatar, Luxembourg, Armenia, Czechia, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Andorra, Portugal, Ukraine, Latvia, Senegal, Tunisia, Argentina, Chile, Poland, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Hungary, Slovenia, Togo, South Africa, Cameroon, Bhutan, Serbia, Vatican, Colombia, Peru, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Maldives, Malta, Moldova, Bangladesh, Albania, Paraguay, Brunei, Mongolia, Cyprus, Panama

Inquiry for the day:

If I arrived from a trip from Japan and do not manifest any symptoms, will I be quarantined?

There are no travel restrictions imposed by the government on Japan. However, the university has put into place additional measures to further protect the community by widening the list of possible sources of imported infection. As such, countries with sustained local transmission will be considered moderate to high risk of exposure. Individuals arriving from these countries will be advised to subject themselves to 14-day home quarantine, even when they are asymptomatic. There are studies that suggest that even asymptomatic individuals may be infected and may transmit the virus, even with low probability. This list will be updated based on the WHO daily global situation reports.

The current list includes: (as of 11 March 2020)

S. Korea, Japan, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, UK, Switzerland, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, USA

General preventive measures:

·         Proper hygiene practices and effective hand-washing techniques
·         Cover mouth and nose with tissue paper when coughing or sneezing then properly dispose of used tissue paper as infectious waste
·         Keep a distance of at least 2 meters (around 6 feet) from a person suspected of having SARS-CoV-2 infection or flu-like signs and symptoms
·         Avoid touching eyes after coughing/sneezing
·         Do not spit just anywhere
·         Proper handling and disposal of wastes; used masks should be considered as infectious waste and should be disposed of properly
·         Avoid unnecessary assembly or mass gathering, especially in closed venues
·         Gargle with warm saline solution 2-3x a day when having cough and sore throat
·         Hydrate regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle
·         Process raw food properly/hygienically and cook food well

You can also refer to the following links for more information and updates:

·         Department of Health, https://www.doh.gov.ph/2019-nCov
·         World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
·         Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

These bulletins are intended to provide general updates and relevant guidelines as events related to the COVID-19 outbreak evolve. Expect changes and adjustments in precaution guidelines as well as in preventing the spread of the infection as new information emerge daily.  Also, given the volume of news reports and opinions being circulated in media and the internet, we enjoin everyone to refrain from sharing unverified information that can confuse or mislead others.

Let us work together to build a safer and healthier community that we may serve the people for the greater glory of God.