Duterte asks private hospitals to help fight nCoV

President Rodrigo Duterte has asked private hospitals to help contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.

The President made the appeal during a briefing with top government officials and health experts in Malacañang on Monday, according to a statement released by his office on Tuesday.

“The President also appealed to private hospitals to help the government fight the scourge by accommodating patients seeking treatment after hearing reports that some private facilities refuse to accept patients manifesting symptoms of the virus,” the statement said.

Duterte also tasked the local government units, particularly barangay chairpersons, to work with health officials in reporting and transporting individuals suspected to be infected by the novel coronavirus.

Health officials were mandated by the President to conduct an inventory of vehicles at the Department of Health’s regional offices to be used in transporting infected persons.

He vowed to allocate money for the DOH to help it buy new vehicles that will only cater to coronavirus infections.

Duterte told reporters on Monday night that there was no need to be hysterical over the nCoV finding its way in the country.

He said one just needed to be checked at a hospital if he or she is suspected of having the disease.

The Philippines has so far two confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus—one of whom died over the weekend and became the first fatality outside China. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News