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Greenhills mall disinfects prayer room frequented by 5th COVID-19 case


 

The prayer room at a mall in Greenhills, San Juan which was often frequented by the fifth confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country was disinfected, according to JP Soriano's Saturday report on Balitanghali Weekend.

San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora ordered the immediate disinfection and temporary closure of the prayer hall on Friday.

"Ako ay nagbigay ng direktiba sa management mismo ng Greenhills Shopping Center na isara muna, temporarily, itong prayer room na ito. Ang mall management naman po ay mag sa-sanitize at mag-disinfect sa buong shopping center," Zamora said.

The mayor also went to the prayer hall with health officials to explain to devotees the local government's directive to disinfect the area.

"Gusto lang natin siguraduhin na ligtas ang lugar na ito. Sapagkat kung hindi ko kayo puntahan dito at hindi ko sabihing linisin muna natin 'to at magkasakit kayo, baka sabihin niyo naman sa 'kin, 'Mayor, bakit hindi niyo kami sinabahan?'" Zamora said.

A city health official meanwhile urged devotees who had gone to the hall from February 21 to 28 and who had developed symptoms of the virus to go get tested.

"Baka ho merong mga nandito nu'ng February 21 hanggang 28 na nagkalagnat, nagkaubo, nagkasipon. Maaari pong lumapit sa City Health Office para ho ma-swab para malaman baka meron silang coronavirus," she said.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization said that individuals with symptoms may head to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for free COVID-19 tests.

 

 

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the prayer hall may be used 24 hours after the disinfection process.

"I am told it is one is to 100—the hypochlorite solution which is used to spray the areas for disinfection and it is very effective. It's the most effective, in fact," Duque said in a press conference.

The fifth patient was a 62-year-old man with no travel history abroad. He was confirmed to be the first case of local transmission of the virus in the country.

So far, authorities have traced 29 individuals who came in contact with the patient.

The Philippines confirmed its sixth COVID-19 case on Saturday. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News

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