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. 2021 Feb 5;12(1):56-60.
doi: 10.5365/wpsar.2020.11.1.014. eCollection 2021 Jan-Mar.

Early response to COVID-19 in the Philippines

Arianna Maever L Amit  1   2 , Veincent Christian F Pepito  1   2 , Manuel M Dayrit  2
Affiliations

Early response to COVID-19 in the Philippines

Arianna Maever L Amit et al. Western Pac Surveill Response J. .

Abstract

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with weak health systems are especially vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we describe the challenges and early response of the Philippine Government, focusing on travel restrictions, community interventions, risk communication and testing, from 30 January 2020 when the first case was reported, to 21 March 2020. Our narrative provides a better understanding of the specific limitations of the Philippines and other LMICs, which could serve as basis for future action to improve national strategies for current and future public health outbreaks and emergencies.

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Figures

Figure 1a
Figure 1a
New cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines, 30 January–21 March 2020
Figure 1b
Figure 1b
Timeline of key events and developments in the Philippines, 30 January–21 March 2020
Figure 2
Figure 2
Provinces placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). (2a) The Government declared ECQ in Metro Manila effective 15 March 2020; (2b) The Government declared ECQ on the entire island of Luzon effective 17 March 2020.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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