TARLAC CITY, Feb.26 (PIA) — Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with Bases Conversion and Development Authority, provincial government of Tarlac and municipal government of Capas, ensures that the Filipino repatriates from the M/V Diamond Princess are well-accommodated and closely monitored.
“All 445 repatriates landed safely and free of any signs and symptoms of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), hence, they were all sent to New Clark City (NCC) for close observation and monitoring for 14 days,” Department of Health (DOH) Regional Director Cesar Cassion said in a press briefing Wednesday afternoon.
“All the basic necessities are provided including hygiene kits and meals,” Cassion added.
Out of the 445 repatriated Overseas Filipinos (OFs), 440 are crew members and 5 are tourists. They are currently quarantined together with 13 repatriation team members from DOH and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), bringing the total number to 458.
“Five levels of screening were done over the course of repatriation – screening for fever and respiratory signs and symptoms a) prior to disembarking from the cruise ship, b) before boarding the bus to Haneda airport in Japan, c) during the flight, d) upon landing at Clark Air Base, and e) upon arrival at the quarantine facility in NCC,” Cassion explained.
If an individual, during his/her stay in the quarantine facility, suddenly shows signs and symptoms of COVID-19, DOH has deployed medical and ambulance teams to immediately assess and facilitate transfer to hospital for close monitoring.
The OFs from M/V Diamond Princess are the second batch to be quarantined at NCC.
Earlier, a total of 49 individuals composed of 30 OFs from Wuhan, China; 5 DOH medical team members; 5 DFA response team members; 6 plane crew; and 3 ground personnel completed their 14-day quarantine period with zero infections and zero mortality.
“Medical staff from DOH hospitals in Luzon and National Capital Region clusters will be monitoring the health condition and medical needs of the repatriated OFs while Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley Centers for Health Development will be managing the operation center,” Cassion furthered.
DOH, together with Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, will be taking charge of the management, coordination and logistics of the entire quarantine process.