COVID-19 quarantine period to remain at 14 days, says Duque

There will be no changes in the Philippines' quarantine protocols in connection with the COVID-19 threat, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III told GMA News.

There will be no change in the country’s quarantine procedures despite reports indicating a possibly longer incubation period for the novel coronavirus, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Tuesday.

Duque said the country would follow the protocols set by the World Health Organization.

“Ang WHO, ang kanya pa ring sinusunod at advise sa member states ng WHO is yung 14 days pa rin na quarantine period," Duque said told GMA News Online.

"Kasi yung confidence level is anywhere from 95 to 97% na ang incubation period is anywhere from 3 to 6 days na narrow range to a wider range of 2 to 12 days,” Duque said.

News reports from China said there was evidence that the incubation period for the NCOV could reach up to 24 days.

“Walang malinaw na batayan para gawing basis yan for changing our guidelines as of the moment. So maghihintay tayo ng advisory from the WHO,” Duque said.

The quarantine period for the Filipino repatriates on board the cruise ship docked in Japan, however, will reach 28 days.

They already have been quarantined in Japan for 14 days and will be quarantined in the Philippines for another 14 days.

Duque also said that the repatriates would not be tested for NCOV if they did not exhibit symptoms such as fever, cough and colds.

“Hindi na. Ang expert panel’s recommendation sa DOH ay yung symptomatic na lang,” Duque said.

As for reports that asymptomatic patients in other countries were able to pass on the virus to others, Duque said, “Kina-quarantine naman natin sila. Hindi natin alam unless they are tested.” —NB, GMA News