DoH spokesperson Eric Domingo said that since there is still no confirmed 2019-nCOV case in the country, the public has no reason to use face masks as a precaution against the new virus. “Wala naman pong circulating na (2019-nCoV) dito sa atin,” he told radio DZMM.

The Department of Health (DOH) recommends that the patients wear a face mask and for those weak immune systems to prevent the novel coronavirus or 2019-nCoV. The DOH and the Department of Trade and Industry have also confirmed that there is no shortage of face masks in the country.

“‘We can use face masks to protect ourselves. Ganun din kung tayo ang may sakit, ‘di po dapat tayo manghawa ng iba,” he said.

The DOH said that they were monitoring 23 suspected cases of the coronavirus as 4 others have already tested negative. The Philippines remains free from the 2019-nCoV that has already claimed.

Recently, the death toll in China from the coronavirus increased overnight into Wednesday, with China confirming that 132 people have died from the illness.

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