Duterte convenes inter-agency body as COVID-19 cases rise to 20

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday convened the inter-agency body handling the government’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) following the rise in the number of infections in the country.

Duterte’s meeting with the officials of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) was held in Malacañang.

Among those present in the meeting were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go. 

#BantayCOVID19: Pang. Rodrigo Duterte sa pulong ng Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases kaugnay sa banta ng Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). | via @mamutuesday

(????: Sen. Christopher 'Bong' Go) pic.twitter.com/Iqv8lTiJ0i

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 9, 2020

The President also received a briefing on the coronavirus outbreak on February 3.

The Philippines on Monday recorded 10 more cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 20.

Responding to the spike in coronavirus cases, Duterte on Sunday declared a state of public health emergency throughout the Philippines.

Duterte said the proclamation would facilitate measures to address the threat of the virus including mandatory reporting, quarantine and disease control prevention measures.

He also said the Secretary of Health could seek assistance from the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies in addressing the COVID-19 threat.

The President also asked all citizens, tourists and establishment owners to “act within the bounds of the law and to comply with lawful directives and advisories” to be issued by the concerned government agencies. — DVM, GMA News