DOTr officials exposed to Covid-19 patient on self-quarantine

FILE: Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade at the KalayaanHall of Malacañan Palace on July 18, 2017. EXEQUIEL SUPERA/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade and other officials have placed themselves on self-quarantine after exposure to a person who has coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a message on Wednesday evening, DOTr Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran said the person, who was confirmed positive for the respiratory disease that same afternoon, met with Tugade and other officials on March 5 and 6.

“[Tugade] was exposed last week. We learned of the person to be confirmed Covid-19 positive late this afternoon,” Libiran said.

Aside from Tugade, Libiran said she was also on self-quarantine.

In a statement on Thursday, she said the self-quarantine of DOTr officials was in observance of protocols set by the Department of Health (DOH) in the event of possible exposure to the virus.

“In addition, the DOTr has also started the temporary closure of some of its offices and agencies for cleaning and disinfection,” Libiran said.

An advisory from the Philippine National Railways (PNR) on Thursday said its Executive Building was being disinfected until Saturday.

“All office works are also suspended during the said period,” the advisory read.

At the DOTr’s headquarters in Pampanga, Libiran said preventive measures were also being implemented to secure the safety and health of its personnel.

“Thermal scanning for body temperature is now being done. In addition, DOTr personnel who may exhibit flu-like symptoms are also being sent home,” Libiran said.

On Wednesday, the DOH announced the death of a Filipina who tested positive for Covid-19 — the second death in relation to the pandemic.

The Philippines now has 49 confirmed cases of Covid-19.