Mandaluyong sets nCoV quarantine

MANDALUYONG, Philippines — On the heels of the third confirmed case of novel coronavirus (nCoV) in the country, the Mandaluyong City government has ordered employees and officials who went overseas recently to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

In a memorandum circular dated Thursday, Mayor Menchie Abalos said the two weeks would not be considered as paid sick leave unless they apply.

“Noncompliance or refusal to comply with this circular by any concerned official and employee shall be considered a misconduct, insubordination and/or dereliction of duty, and shall be dealt with administratively under existing laws, civil service rules and regulations,” the memorandum read.

Those who underwent quarantine can only return to work after being cleared by the city health department.

Abalos also belied reports on social media that a patient tested positive for nCoV and died at the Mandaluyong City Medical Center.

She also said there are no cases in Mandaluyong of confirmed nCoV cases.

Abalos added that Mandaluyong has put up holding areas for persons who may have been infected.

In Manila, the University of the East (UE) yesterday urged students and faculty to stay calm following reports that a student was infected with nCoV, saying the school has no recorded cases.

School officials did not confirm reports that UE was under lockdown.

On Thursday, students from pre-school to senior high school were told to go home but there was no announcement that classes were suspended, according to the city public information office.

The school officially suspended classes in its Manila campus yesterday.

The UE Dawn, the school’s official paper, confirmed that a senior high school student is under quarantine at the UE Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center.

Meanwhile, the Muntinlupa City government has created a task force to address the nCoV threat.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, in an executive order dated Feb. 4, said the task force will coordinate all programs, projects and activities to curb the spread of the disease in Muntinlupa.

It will also coordinate the procurement of materials and any necessities for the full and effective implementation of the programs as well as ensure their quick, efficient delivery to designated recipients.

Fresnedi will be the task force’s chairman, with city administrator Allan Cachuela as his co-chairman. – With Rey Galupo, Ralph Edwin Villanueva