Security at ports on high alert to prevent entry of nCoV in Philippines

All port state control offices have been placed on heightened alert to prevent the entry and possible spread of the new strain of coronavirus in the country, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) chief Admiral Joel Garcia said on Friday.

“In adherence to the directive of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, all port state control officers of the Philippine Coast Guard have been alerted to heighten maritime safety and security efforts in their areas of responsibilities,” Garcia said in a statement.

“Our port state control officers, together with the Bureau of Quarantine personnel, conduct comprehensive inspection of all foreign vessels that enter major ports across the country,” he added.

The novel coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan City, the capital of Hubei Province in China in December.

Its symptoms include fever, difficulty in breathing, cough and cold.

Latest reports said 25 individuals had died in China because of the new coronavirus.

There were also cases reported in United States, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, South Korea and Macau.

According to the Department of Health, there is no confirmed case of novel coronavirus in the Philippines. —NB, GMA News