MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) will recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte the declaration of a state of public health emergency after reporting that there is now local transmission of COVID-19 in the country.

In a press conference on Saturday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said they will recommend the health emergency declaration as they have raised the alert system for the deadly disease to Code Red sublevel 1.

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“With Code Red, the DOH has recommended to the Office of the President for the declaration of a State of Public Health Emergency which will facilitate mobilization of resources, ease processes, including procurement of critical logistics and supplies, and intensifying reporting,” Duque said.

Code Red was implemented after the wife of the 62-year-old infected Filipino tested positive for COVID-19. The Filipino, who is the fifth confirmed coronavirus disease case, did not have travel history.

Duque also mentioned that the health emergency also means that there will be mandatory quarantine and mandatory reporting of the COVID-19 cases.

Duque said they are eyeing that the President will approve their recommendation by Monday (March 9).

Edited by MUF

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For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

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