Filipinos on quarantined ship to come home on February 23 — DOH
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health at a press briefing on Thursday said that some 500 Filipinos previously aboard the Diamond Princess, the cruise ship in Japan quarantined
The upcoming repatriation effort, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III
According to Duque, the compatriots will
"There will be more transport services. You will have two aircrafts, more transportation to bring the repatriates to the facility. There will just be a multiplier effect," Duque said.
Those coming home have not exhibited symptoms of the new virus although Duque expressed uncertainty as to their exact number.
"Let's just have an indicative number of 500, more or less," he said.
Asked if those undergoing repatriation would
'Repatriates quarantined in the same area'
The department also disclosed that the new repatriates would
Of those under quarantine at New Clark City, Duque assured, "They are all well. 'Yung
The Filipino crew member aboard the Diamond Princess who tested negative for COVID-19 will also
Duque also disclosed that the number of Filipinos who remained on board who tested positive had already reached 44, a number he said was still subject to validation.
"I don't have the very granular details, so we will just have to wait," he said.
Amid earlier concerns that the first batch of repatriated overseas Filipino workers could contribute to the spread of the virus, the DOH assured the public that none of those quarantined showed any symptoms.
READ: How the OFWs repatriated from Wuhan, China
Medical teams
The Health department also disclosed they would bring medical personnel from various hospitals in Luzon to attend to the Filipinos heading home. There will be 16 hospitals.
Also present at the New Clark City will be teams of 10 comprising two doctors, four nurses, two nursing attendants and two utility workers.
Asked if these 10-member teams would be enough to fulfill the needs of the repatriates, Duque said, "I'm sure that will be the subject of the TWG meeting this afternoon."
- Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital
- Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center
- Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center
- Talavera General Hospital
- Mariveles General Hospital
- Baguio General Hospital Medical Center
- East Avenue Medical Center
- Ilocos Training Regional Medical
- Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center
- Region 1 Medical Center
- Tondo Medical Center
- Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital
- Rizal Medical Center
- Southern Isabela General Hospital
- Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital & Medical Center
- Quirino Memorial Medical Center
- Valenzuela Medical Center
"We have to rotate our medical personnel [providing] health services," Duque said.
As for Filipinos who recover will also
"But in principle, if they want to
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