More activities cancelled due to nCoV

MANILA, Philippines — More activities in the provinces have been cancelled due to the threat posed by the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV).

Cesar Bucsit, spokesman for the Department of Education (DepEd)-Ilocos office, said the Region 1 Athletic Association meet to be held in Lingayen, Pangasinan from Feb. 19 to 26 would be postponed.

Bucsit said the postponement of the sports meet is in line with the directive of DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones to suspend major activities this month to address the threat of nCoV.

In a memorandum issued on Tuesday night, Briones said the National Schools Press Conference in Tuguegarao, Cagayan; National Festival of Talents in Ilagan, Isabela, and National Science and Technology Fair in Metro Manila were also cancelled.

She said activities that involve gathering of various schools are highly discouraged. Organizers should first seek the recommendation of health authorities, she said.

Palaro not postponed

Briones clarified that the Palarong Pambansa is not included on the list of cancelled activities.

She said the annual sports competition would be held in Marikina City in May.

Zamboanga Sibugay Gov. Wilter Palma said activities marking the anniversary of Zamboanga Sibugay from Feb. 17 to 24 were also cancelled ”in the interest of Sibugaynons and as a precautionary measure.”

At the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Cavite, visitations for cadets were suspended to ensure that its personnel are protected from the flu virus.

All personnel are required to wear face masks and have their body temperature checked before they can be allowed entry into the camp, PNPA director Brig. Gen. Jose Chiquito Malayo said.

No lockdown in Baguio

Meanwhile, the Baguio City information office denied reports of a “mandatory lockdown for tourists and visitors” in the city. 

Information officer Aileen Refuerzo said only the opening parade of the Panagbenga Festival last Saturday and Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association meet have been cancelled.

Refuerzo said there is no decision yet on the Panagbenga grand float and street dance parades set on Feb. 29 and March 1, respectively. 

The Baguio City health office said a 23-year-old woman, who recently traveled to Hong Kong, is under investigation for suspected nCoV. The patient, who is in isolation in a medical facility, is reportedly showing signs of improvement.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) alumni homecoming on Feb. 14 and 15  should be moved to a “more auspicious date.”

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said he also supports the cancellation of the event.

PMA Superintendent Rear Admiral Allan Cusi had earlier closed PMA to tourists amid the nCoV scare.

Negative

In Bulacan, two persons under investigation (PUIs) for NCoV tested negative for the virus, results released yesterday showed.

The Department of Health (DOH) regional office said there are three PUIs in Ilocos but no confirmed case of nCoV. The patients are recovering in a hospital.

DOH regional director Valeriano Lopez said they are waiting for the result of confirmatory tests from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

The Yanson Group of Bus Companies, one of the biggest transport firms in the country, ordered the distribution of face masks and hygiene kits to its employees and passengers nationwide as a precautionary measure against nCoV.