Advisory on the Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), Bulletin #17
7 March 2020
To The University Community
From Norman Dennis E. Marquez, MD
University Physician
Subject Advisory on the Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), Bulletin #17
Situation summary:
- From DOH, a total of 678 Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) recorded; 5 are confirmed (+) for SARS-CoV-2; 618 tested (-); 17 pending results (as of 12nn, 6 March 2020)
- DOH confirms 2 new patients with COVID-19; one (4th case) has a recent travel history to Japan and appears to have stable condition while admitted in Research Institute for Tropical Medicine; one (5th case) is a hypertensive and diabetic elderly and denies any recent travel outside the Philippines; DOH claims that we do not have enough data to declare local/community transmission in the country based in the new cases
- 3 foreign nationals were reported to have come from the Philippines before getting sick and being confirmed positive for COVID-19; the Taiwanese national may have been infected prior to travel to the Philippines and only manifested symptoms upon his return to Taiwan; the Japanese national has visited several countries before the Philippines and may have been infected elsewhere as well; DOH is trying to get more details on the Australian national who stayed about 16 days in the Philippines
- WHO has an initiative called the WHO Network for Information in Epidemics (EPIWIN) that leverages all communications platforms to amplify evidence-based information; EPI-WIN has identified trusted sources and engaged with these “trust chains” that can help communities/organizations make informed decisions; more information can be found in the Subject in Focus. https://www.epi-win.com/
- There are now 85 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
UPDATED GUIDELINES ON HOME QUARANTINE AND PREVENTION OF SPREAD FROM CONTACT WITH COVID-19 PATIENTS
Members of the community and visitors to the Ateneo campuses are highly encouraged to inform/call the Office of Health Services/Infirmaries in their respected units (for students and visitors) or OHRMOD (for faculty, professionals, administrators, staff) if you manifest the following:
- fever WITH a history of travel to areas with travel restrictions (China and North Gyeongsang Province, Daegu City, and Cheongdo County in Korea) or with a high incidence of confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the 14 days prior to the onset of signs and symptoms
- fever, cough/cold, sore throat WITH a history of travel to areas with travel restrictions or with a high incidence of confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the 14 days prior to the onset of signs and symptoms
- severe acute respiratory infection requiring hospitalization WITH a history of travel to areas with travel restrictions or with a high incidence of confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the 14 days prior to the onset of signs and symptoms
- fever or signs and symptoms of respiratory infection within 14 days of close contact with any of the following:
o a confirmed person infected with SARS-CoV-2
o a person with a history of travel to areas with travel restrictions (China and North Gyeongsang Province, Daegu City, and Cheongdo County in Korea) or with a high incidence of confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the 14 days prior to the onset of signs and symptoms
Should you develop the signs and symptoms at home, do not go to school, rather, inform/call the appropriate offices for specific concerns. Wear a mask and minimize contact with other persons at home. Please inform/call your family doctor about your condition before going to his/her clinic so that they can take precautions as well.
If you do not develop signs and symptoms but have traveled to areas with restrictions or with a high incidence of local transmission (Iran and Italy) of confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, you will be subjected to mandatory home quarantine for 14 days from the day of arrival. You will be given monitoring guidelines, in coordination with the University Physician and the respective Office of Health Services/Infirmaries. The guidelines for home quarantine and the list of countries/areas with travel restrictions and high incidence of local transmission will be updated based on available data.
https://www.who.int/publications-detail/home-care-for-patients-with-susp...(ncov)-infection-presenting-with-mild-symptoms-and-management-of-contacts
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 1 meter (around 3 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 emerges 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.
If you have any comments or inquiries, you may send me an email at nmarquez@ateneo.edu or to Engr Josephy Almosera at jalmosera@ateneo.edu
Let us work together to build a safer and healthier community that we may serve the people for the greater glory of God.
