COVID-19

Manila Increases Anti-Virus Measures As Filipino National Becomes Taiwan Case #475

On the same day a visiting Philippines national became the 475th confirmed case of coronavirus infection in Taiwan, in Metro Manila and the adjacent region of Calabarzon, authorities have extended an ongoing general community quarantine period until August 15th, and at the same time the local COVID-19 task force has announced that it would now require the wearing of face shields in addition to face masks.
In the case of the visitor from the Philippines, Taiwanese anti-virus authorities released a statement saying “the case had no symptoms when he entered the country on July 31st. After quarantine at the airport, his family drove to the epidemic prevention hotel for home quarantine. He developed a mild fever on August 1 and was diagnosed today. He is now hospitalized and (being) treated in isolation.”

In the Philippines on the same day, COVID-19 task force spokesperson Mt. Harry Roque said “We will have stringent enforcement of minimum health standards, these are the washing of hands, wearing of masks, and social distancing. And the wearing of [face shields], there are now four minimum health standards,”  also saying these rules are being enforced as a result of rising levels of coronavirus infection in the region.

C: Christina Sandu – Unsplash

No start date for the new rule was mentioned, but it is understood that local government groups would immediately start implementing a range of related measures in high-rate infection areas.

The Philippines has seen the virus lead to 2,059 deaths according to latest data available from just over 103,000 infections, with at least one research group in the country projecting this number to jump to 140,000 by the end of the month.

 

Mark Buckton

Mark is a journalism vet of 20 years with most of those years spent in Tokyo, Japan, as a columnist for The Japan Times and numerous other publications. His work has appeared on CNN, in the BBC, NPR, and in several dozen other media forms and publications across five continents.

Recent Posts

Elon Musk sharply criticizes Trump’s tax bill, claims it undermines cost-cutting reforms

Elon Musk has issued a scathing critique of Donald Trump’s marquee tax reform bill, arguing…

4 hours ago

King Charles III’s visit to Canada shows support for Canadian sovereignty despite Trump threats

King Charles III arrived in Canada’s capital on Monday for a high-profile visit that Canadian…

1 day ago

President Trump blasts Putin over deadly Ukraine assault, pushes for ceasefire talks

President Donald Trump issued a sharp rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, calling…

2 days ago

Israeli embassy staff killed in D.C. shooting; suspect shouts “Free Palestine” upon arrest

Two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington were fatally shot Wednesday evening outside…

6 days ago

US President Trump unveils ambitious ‘Golden Dome’ space-based missile defense plan

President Donald Trump on Tuesday outlined the United States' most ambitious missile defense initiative yet:…

1 week ago

Britain, France and Canada condemn Israel’s plans for ground operations in Gaza

In a dramatic shift in international tone, some of Israel’s closest Western allies have issued…

1 week ago