MANILA, Philippines — Bayan Muna representatives on Thursday called on the Duterte administration to implement efficient health screening and surveillance measures amid threat of the new coronavirus strain. Bayan Muna Representatives Carlos Isagani Zarate and Ferdinand Gaite said individuals and groups from areas infected by novel coronavirus or 2019-nCoV should be screened and monitored. Meanwhile, Gaite said mechanisms should be in place in the event that the disease manages to enter the country. “Tulad sa disaster sa Taal (Like the disaster in Taal), we need adequate preparations and effective response and we hope that they are now in place,” he said. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the disease could likely spread to other countries as well.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 23, 2020 08:03 UTC