WHO raises global health alert over coronavirus as HK records 12th case

By The SUN

* Schools to reopen Mar 2

* Banks to close 20-30% of branches

* Health service union warns of strike unless the government closes all border crossings with China

A patient is checked at Zhongnan Hospital in Wuhan (AP photo)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global public health emergency over the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus, as China reported its biggest daily death toll from the contagion on Thursday, Jan. 30

All save one of the 43 new deaths happened in Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak. The total death toll nationwide is now 213, with the confirmed cases shooting up to more than 9,800, far more than that recorded for the Sars epidemic 17 years ago.

In Hong Kong, two more confirmed cases were reported, bringing the total tally to 12.

In declaring PHEIC over the Wuhan coronavirus, the WHO cited as reason the potential of the virus to spread to countries not prepared to deal with the contagion.

 

WHO's Tedros announcing the global emergency alert for the Wuhan coronavirus

“Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to spread to countries with weaker health systems and which are ill prepared to deal with it,” WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Tedros said the declaration was not a vote of no-confidence in China’s ability to control the outbreak. In fact, he said China deserved only respect for its handling of the contagion.

Thus, it was not necessary to “punish” China by imposing severe restrictions on travel to and from the country.

“Some countries have taken questionable measures concerning travellers,” said Didier Houssin, chair of the WHO’s emergency committee. Those measures, he said, “should not constitute an example to follow”.

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WHO outlined a number of recommendations to fight off the spread of the coronavirus, including accelerating the development of a vaccine, reviewing preparedness plans, combating the spread of misinformation, and sharing data with the United Nations body.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying responded to the WHO declaration by saying  Beijing would continue to work with the agency and other countries “to safeguard global and regional public health security.”

“We completely have the confidence and capability to win this fight against the epidemic,” she said.

Amid the outbreak, numerous governments have advised against all non-essential travel to China, including the United States and Britain, with the latest being Hong Kong.

 

CE Lam calls on HK people to avoid traveling to China (SCMP photo)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said at a news conference on Jan 31 that Hong Kong residents should avoid traveling to China, as the partial closure of the crossings into the mainland took effect. About 37,000 local residents crossed the border to the mainland yesterday, while 19,500 people came in from China.

Singapore, which has 13 recorded cases, took a step further and sealed off its border with China.

The US and Japan has also taken steps to pull out their citizens from Wuhan, which has been locked down for five days after being identified as ground zero of the epidemic.

China has done the reverse, flying out 217 stranded citizens in Thailand and Malaysia aboard two aircraft today.

Chinese aviation officials said flights have also been arranged to airlift Wuhan residents who are stuck in Singapore, Osaka in Japan, Krabi in Thailand, Mandalay in Myanmar, and other places.

Despite the big number of people affected so far, and the extent of the contagion, the Wuhan coronavirus has proved less deadly than Sars, which killed about 600 people in 2002-2003, and Mers (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), which had a fatality rate of 33%.

The three are among seven coronaviruses known to affect humans.

What experts are most concerned about now is containing the human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus.

Eight such infections have been reported outside of China, including the second known case in the US, a Chicago man who contracted the illness from his wife. In Germany, a man was infected by a colleague who had visited China but was asymptomatic.

In Hong Kong, the latest two cases involved a 37-year-old woman from Yau Ma Tei and a 75-year-old man from Tsing Yi.

The woman appeared to have contracted the virus from her parents, who were the 9th and 10th cases. She developed a cough on Jan 28 and was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Jan 30, where she tested positive for the virus. She is in stable condition.

The patient stayed at W Hong Kong with her parents from Jan 22-28 and then visited The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong and Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong with them. She accompanied her parents to Queen Mary Hospital then returned home. She fell ill two days later.

The second case, an elderly man residing in Hong Mei House, Cheung Hong Estate, developed cough and shortness of breath on Jan 22. He sought treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital on Jan 24 and tested positive for the coronavirus after six days.

The patient was in Shunde in Guangdong Province from Dec 30 last year to Jan 7 and sought treatment at a clinic there. He took day trips to Macau from Jan 10 to 14.

His wife, daughter and son are asymptomatic, but will be quarantined at Lady MacLehose Holiday Village.

In other developments in Hong Kong:

·                       All primary and secondary schools, as well as Baptist, Hong Kong and Polytechnic Universities will reopen on Mar 2 instead of Feb 17

·                        13,000 members of a health workers’ union are set to vote on a move to hold a strike at public hospitals starting Monday if CE Lam does not heed their call to completely seal off Hong Kong’s borders with China

·                       Banks to close a third of their branches in the wake of the outbreak

·                       CE Lam orders any new arrival who had been to Hubei to be placed under quarantine;

·                        CE Lam says a HK Labour advisory urging migrant workers to stay at home on their rest day is meant to protect them

·                       Courts remain closed until Monday, Feb 3

·                       Civil servants, except frontline and emergency staff, are working from home until next week, when Chinese experts say the rate of contagion would have eased.

·                       But a researcher at City University disagrees; saying the number of coronavirus cases in Hong Kong could rise to more than 200 within the next two weeks, as more local residents return from the mainland.

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Stroke feared as DH collapses after a week of headaches

By Vir B. Lumicao

The OFW suspected of sufferingi a stroke is in an emergency room at Eastern Hospital

A Filipina domestic helper is in the emergency room of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan after collapsing in her employer’s house on Wednesday, Jan 29, following seven days of headache.

Lovella F. Albero, 43 and a married mother of three, is scheduled to undergo an MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, to determine whether she has a brain tumor, her employer Zharina Sunga said.

But Sunga is worried because the medical procedure can’t be done until after two weeks because of the long queue of patients requiring that examination.

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Sunga said a doctor friend of hers suspected that Albero might have suffered a stroke due to ruptured brain aneurysm, or a bulging vein in the brain.

He suggested the patient  undergo a lumbar puncture, a procedure that involves drawing fluid specimen from her spinal column.

Albero is conscious but has lost her memory, her employer for five years said. “She doesn’t know where she is, she doesn’t even know me,” Sunga said.

The employer said Albero has a husband and three children who are all in college.

The case of Albero has been relayed to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration office in the Consulate.

Welfare Officer Marivic C. Clarin said she had assured the employer that the hospital is the best place for Albero as medical staff could monitor her condition

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Woman from Wuhan is Phl’s first confirmed coronavirus case

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III

The Philippines confirmed its first case of Wuhan coronavirus infection on Jan. 30.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a news briefing that it was a 38-year-old woman from China who flew in from Wuhan via Hong Kong on Jan 21. She is currently in a government hospital where she was admitted on Jan 25 but is no longer showing symptoms.

The patient is among the 29 people monitored by the Department of Health for suspected infection.

DOH Epidemiology Director Ferchito Avelino said the authorities are now the establishments the woman had been to, and the employees she had contacted.

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Specimen taken from the woman was among six samples sent earlier this week to Australia for testing at the Victoria Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory. The rest tested negative.

Duque advised Filipinos to remain calm and vigilant, and said the DOH was on top of the situation.

He broke the news about the infection amid mounting pressure on the government to stop the entry of people from China to avert the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

President Rodrigo Duterte has dismissed the calls, saying it would be unfair to single out Chinese tourists for a ban.

But he said he was open to evacuating an estimated 300 Filipinos trapped in the central Chinese of Hubei, whose capital, Wuhan, has been identified as ground zero for the contamination.

The first Wuhan coronavirus case was reported to the World Health Organization in late December last year. In a span of less than a month, it has spread to all regions in China, and to many other parts of the world.

The number of cases of the pneumonia-like illness in China has risen to more than 8,000, with a death toll f 171 as of this writing.

The Chinese National Health Commission said in its daily report that 1,370 patients remained in critical condition and 12,167 people were suspected of being infected by the virus by midnight of Jan 29.

A total of 124 people had recovered and been discharged from hospital.

A total of 88,693 close contacts had been traced, among whom 2,364 were discharged from medical observation on Wednesday. At least 81,947 others are still being monitored.

In Hong Kong, the 11^th and 12^th confirmed cases were reported today, Jan. 31.

The 11^th case was the employer of the Filipina domestic worker who was quarantined on Jan 24 after the employer’s parents who were visiting from Wuhan, tested positive for the coronavirus The daughter had not been to China recently.

The 12^th  confirmed patient is a 75-year-old man living in Cheung Hong Estate in Tsing Yi who had been to Guangdong from Dec 30 to Jan 7. He was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital two days after developing a cough and shortness of breath on Jan. 22. He has been isolated and is now in stable condition. - With reports from Rappler and Xinhua

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DH agrees to be dismissed rather than travel to China with employer

By Vir B. Lumicao

The border crossing at Lowu in Shenzhen used by many OFWs who go to China

A Filipina domestic worker has lost her job for refusing to go with her employer to China amid the scare sparked by an outbreak of the deadly novel coronavirus in the mainland.

Welfare officer Marivic Clarin of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said the termination of the worker’s contract was a mutual agreement between the parties, but the helper would be duly compensated.

It happened after both the Consulate and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office issued advisories on Jan 28, reminding employers not to bring their domestic workers across the border amid the health scare.

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The worker, who was not identified, went to Clarin on Jan 30 to seek help in computing money due from her employer for her premature dismissal. She was in the third year of her work contract.

Clarin said the employer threatened to fire the Filipina the previous day if she didn’t agree to go to the mainland, but the maid cited the Polo and Consulate advisories.

The Polo advisory reminded employment agencies that it was their duty to explain to employers that the practice was illegal.

As a result, the employer backed down and both parties talked amicably about ending the helper’s employment.

“It’s a mutual agreement naman nila. Di naman sad ang worker,” Clarin said.

The employer wanted to pay the worker only until Feb 11 in lieu of one month’s notice. But when they got to OWWA, Clarin advised the helper to demand payment until the end of February and the employer agreed.

  

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Clarin also advised the worker to inform the Immigration Department that her dismissal was due to her refusal to go to China so she would be allowed to sign up with a new employer without having to leave Hong Kong.

The OWWA officer said she had received several messages or calls from workers who are concerned that they might catch the Wuhan novel coronavirus because they are still in China and not being allowed by their employers to return to Hong Kong.

She said that given the situation in China now, it might be best for the workers to stay put in their employer’s house to avoid exposing themselves to the contagion.

“Best na nandun lang sila, kung nasa loob lang. Baka mamaya, mas delikado pa kung pauwiin pa sila nang sabay-sabay,” Clarin said.

Another worry by the helpers was whether they or their employers would be sanctioned by the Consulate or POLO for going to China.

“Maraming natakot kasi nasa China pa sila,” Clarin said. “Concerned yung mga nandoon kasi iyon daw ang nakalagay sa advisory.”

What the Polo advisory signed by Officer-in-Charge Antonio Villafuerte said, in fact, was that employment agencies could be subject to suspension or administrative sanctions if they failed to help workers return to Hong Kong as the need arises.

There was no mention of sanctions on the worker the employer, although Polo keeps a blacklist of employers who violate laws or commit abuse against a helper.

Another OFW who called Clarin had a different fear, that she would be quarantined when she goes home for a vacation.

This followed an announcement by Philippine officials that Filipinos who are in Wuhan  would be evacuated and placed in quarantine for 14 days as soon as they land in Manila.

“Ang sabi ko lang, ‘Mag-ingat mula ngayon para sa pag-uwi mo wala kang sintomas, fever or anything na makita pagdating doon sa airport…magdala ka ng alcohol …yung usual na paalala para makaiwas sa infection’,” Clarin said.

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HK Labour hit after urging migrant workers to stay home on their rest day

By The SUN

HK Labour tells migrant workers to stay home to prevent spread of coronavirus

In an unprecedented move, Hong Kong’s Labour Department has appealed to foreign domestic helpers to stay home on their rest day as a precaution to the spread of the Wuhan novel coronavirus in the community.

“The government appeals to FDHs to stay home for rest on their rest day as far as possible, and to stay away from crowds on public transport or at public places. At the same time, employers must not require FDHs to work on their rest day,” said the statement.

The advisory was immediately criticized by Cynthia Tellez, manager of the Mission for Migrant Workers, who called it illegal and discriminatory.

Another community leader, Eman Villanueva of Bayan Hong Kong and Macau, was more scathing, describing the Labour Department call as “irresponsible, unfair, unjust and discriminatory.”

Tejada says it should be worker's  choice

Consul General Raly Tejada on the other hand, said the Consulate understood the objective of the request, but maintained that the final decision rests with the domestic worker.

“In the event that they choose to stay at home then the employer must respect their day off and not give them tasks,” said Congen Tejada in a message to The SUN.

In two separate advisories, the Consulate advised Filipinos to avoid large gatherings and organizations to postpone public events to help reduce the risk of infection, but did not tell them to remain indoors at all times.

At the same time, it reminded employers not to bring their helpers to the mainland, in reaction to many appeals for help from Filipina domestic workers who are being forced to cross the border by their employers, despite the contagion,

Tellez calls move 'racist'

Tellez said she was surprised by the Labour Department’s statement, as it amounted to the government agency violating its own prohibition against not allowing a foreign domestic worker to take a day off.

“Kalokohan yan because it sends the wrong signal that puwede nang hindi palabasin ang isang migrant worker sa kanyang day-off,” Tellez said.

“At saka, paano naman nating malalaman kung hindi nga pinapatrabaho ang worker kung nasa loob siya ng bahay?”

She said Labour can’t even suggest that the worker be paid for staying put because that again will be in violation of its own laws.

But more importantly, Tellez said the advisory affirmed the racist notion that FDWs cause the spread of illnesses in Hong Kong, when they are the ones who are actually at risk as they do not get to choose who they should live with.

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She said this was shown by the case of the Filipina who was put under quarantine on Jan 24 after her employer’s parents who were visiting from Wuhan, tested positive for the coronavirus.

“Maling patakaran yan kasi ang Labour na dapat na nagpoprotekta sa mga migrant worker ay siya pang naglalapit sa kanila sa kapahamakan,” said Tellez.

Villanueva says  it's malicious and unfair to suggest
FDWs are likely to spread the virus

Villanueva agreed that employers could take the advisory to mean that they can deprive FDWs of their weekly rest day and statutory holidays.

He was also angered by the suggestion that the novel coronavirus (nCoV) contagion could be controlled if migrant workers stayed at home even on their rest day.

“It unfairly and maliciously insinuate that FDWs’ communities are particularly prone to spreading the virus. In fact, the only incident involving an FDW is a Filipino who had a direct contact with two nCoV carriers who happen to be her employer’s relatives. This incident happened INSIDE their household, not outside,” said Villanueva.

He added that singling out FDWs and asking them “to stay at home during their rest day while other members of the household can freely leave is meaningless and is blatantly discriminatory.”

He said that instead of taking steps that violate migrant workers rights, the Hong Kong government must ensure that FDWs are give the same level of protection as everybody else in the city.

“Remind employers to provide their domestic workers with free protective materials such as face masks, vitamin C, alcohol-based sanitizing gel or spray. Ensure that their FDWs get sufficient rest and nutritious food so they wont get sick. Ensure that advisories and public information regarding 2019-nCoV are made available in different languages for the benefit of everyone including ethnic minority communities,” he said.

This was the first time that the Labour Department had made this unusual call. Even at the height of Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) which killed 299 people in Hong Kong 17 years ago, officials did not see it fit to suggest that FDWs should stay at home on their day off.

In addition to the call to stay at home, a Labour spokesman said everyone in Hong Kong should refrain from gathering so as to minimize the risk of infection.

He noted the same call was made by the consulates of the Philippines and Indonesia.

“If it is necessary for FDHs to go out, they are advised to wear a surgical mask and to avoid staying in crowded places. If an FDH or his/her employer has visited the Mainland recently, he/she should wear a surgical mask and stay home for 14 days upon return to Hong Kong as far as possible,” the spokesman continued.

An emergency alert was issued throughout the city on Jan 25, after the first two cases of coronavirus infections in Hong Kong were reported.

There are now 11 confirmed cases, while further tests and monitoring are being carried out on 600 or so suspected carriers.

In its advisory, Labour reminded employers who compel their helpers to work on a rest day is in breach of the Employment Ordinance and is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000.

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