Palace: No need to panic over first novel coronavirus death

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar urged the public not to panic following the country's first confirmed case and death of the novel coronavirus, assuring them that the government is actively managing the situation.

The government has intensified stringent customs, immigration, and quarantine measures, including a temporary ban on visitors from China and its territories, to prevent the spread of the virus.

Filipino citizens and permanent residents returning from China may enter but must undergo a 14-day quarantine.

The Department of Health (DOH) announced the first confirmed case, a 38-year-old Chinese woman, and the first death outside China, a 44-year-old man who traveled with her.

Andanar stated that the DOH is collaborating with health authorities internationally, and the Philippines can now independently detect and diagnose the virus.

The government is also coordinating with Chinese authorities for the potential repatriation of Filipinos from affected areas and intends to establish a repatriation and quarantine facility.

All government agencies, state universities and colleges, GOCCs, GFIs, and LGUs have been directed to implement these guidelines until the threat is over.