RP’s H1N1 cases balloon to 247
The number of confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) in the Philippines has ballooned to almost 250, based on the latest data from the Department of Health (DOH).
The DOH announced 54 new cases on June 16, bringing the total number of confirmed A(H1N1) infections in the country to 247.
The health department said the new cases included 29 females and 25 males aged five to 70. It added that 52 of the new cases were Filipinos and only two weare foreigners.
The DOH said 85 of the infected patients have been discharged as of June 16.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III declared the country’s first A (H1N1) cases on May 21. The first case was a Filipino woman who came from a trip to the United States and Canada with her parents on May 18. The woman, who showed mild flu symptoms, had fully recovered from the viral infection.
Also on June 16, Lagro Elementary School in Quezon City suspended classes for 10 days due to two confirmed cases of A (H1N1).
Nine schools in the country have confirmed A(H1N1) cases: De la Salle University-Taft, DLSU-College of St Benilde, Far Eastern University-East Asia College, St Andrew’s School in Parañaque, Ateneo Grade School, Mapua Institute of Technology-Makati, Philippine Science High School Eastern Visayas Campus, Hilera Elementary School in Nueva Ecija and Doña Candelaria Highschool in Bulacan.
ABS-CBN Broadcasting, meanwhile, announced on June 16 that two of its employees had been infected with the A(H1N1) virus.
The network said the two employees were “already safe and recovering”, and that it was closely coordinating with the DOH regarding the cases.
“Company officials have been closely coordinating with the Department of Health on the cases and have also conducted contact-tracing to check on the health conditions of the people who may have been exposed to the two individuals,” Bong Osorio, the head of ABS-CBN’s Corporate Communications, said in a statement.
Aside from this, Mr Osorio said ABS-CBN had already implemented measures to prevent the new influenza virus from infecting other employees. These, he said, included face-to-face briefings, regular flu advisory updates, installation of hand sanitisers around the ABS-CBN buildings in Quezon City, regular flu vaccination for employees and their dependents, as well as random body temperature checking of studio audiences and visitors entering ABS-CBN’s compound.
Mr Osorio assured that the ABS-CBN compound was “disinfected” over the weekend.
“The network will continue its normal operations and will continue to promote safety and vigilance against the A(H1N1) virus,” he said.
