etiology 

in Wuhan, China was reported to the WHO Country Office. The

outbreak was later determined to be caused by a new coronavirus strain that
COVID-19 FAQS has not been previously identified in humans.
LAST UPDATED: 2 MARCH 2020

B. SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND TRANSMISSION

A. COVID-19 BASIC INFORMATION

1 4. WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF THE COVID-19 VIRUS?

1. WHAT ARE CORONAVIRUSES?. AT ARE CORONAVIRUSES?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses causing a range of illnesses, from
the common cold to more serious infections such as those caused by Middle
East Respiratory Syndrome-related Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome-related Coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Coronavirus
can also cause a variety of diseases in farm animals and domesticated pets.
2. WHAT IS THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
2. WHAT IS THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS?
Animals are the most likely source of the COVID-19. It is possible that the
COVID-19 virus originated from animals before it infected humans. However,
the specific source of COVID-19 virus is yet to be confirmed.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in animals. At
times, humans get infected with these viruses. For example, SARS-CoV was
associated with civet cats and MERS-CoV, with dromedary camels.

The novel coronavirus is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been
previously identified in humans. The novel coronavirus has caused severe
pneumonia in several cases in China and has been exported to a range of
countries and cities.
To protect yourself: avoid direct contact with animals and surfaces in contact
with animals; practice food safety measures at all times; handle raw meat,
milk or animal organs with care to avoid contamination of uncooked foods;
avoid consuming raw or undercooked animal products.

Last February 12, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced
that the novel disease is officially called Coronavirus Disease 19 or COVID-
19, and the virus infecting it is referred to as COVID-19 virus.

 
3. WHERE DID THE COVID-19 ORIGINATE?
THE COVID-19 ORIGINATE? 5. HOW LONG IS THE INCUBATION PERIOD OF COVID-19?

Last 31 December 2019, a clustering of pneumonia cases of unknown

Incubation period is the period between exposure to an infection and the
appearance of the first symptoms.
8. IS IT SAFE TO RECEIVE PACKAGES FROM CHINA?
According to the WHO, the current incubation period of COVID-19 ranges
from 1-12.5 days. These estimates can change as new information is being
shared with the Department of Health (DOH). Based on what we know about
other coronavirus diseases, such as MERS and SARS, their incubation period Yes, it is. From what we know about the coronaviruses so far, they do not
reaches up to 14 days. With COVID-19, WHO recommends to monitor survive long on objects, such as packages and letters. As such, receiving
contacts of confirmed cases for 14 days. packages from China do not pose risk of contracting the virus to the recipient.

6. HOW DOES COVID-19 SPREAD? 9. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?

COVID-19 is transmitted from person to person via droplets, contact, and

fomites. It is transmitted when one individual talks, sneezes, or coughs
producing ‘droplets’ of saliva containing the COVID-19 virus. These droplets
are then inhaled by another person. COVID-19 transmission usually occurs
among close contacts -- including family members and healthcare workers. It
is therefore important to maintain a distance of more than 1 meter away from
any person who has respiratory symptoms.
According to WHO, the most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever,
tiredness and dry cough. Few patients experience aches and pains, nasal
congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. Patients usually have mild
symptoms that start gradually. Most patients recover without needing any
special treatment. Only around 1 of 6 patients manifest with difficulty
breathing and become seriously ill.

10. DO ALL INDIVIDUALS INFECTED WITH COVID-19 PRESENT WITH SIGNS AND
7. HOW LONG DOES THE VIRUS SURVIVE ON SURFACES?
SYMPTOMS?

According to WHO, there is no confirmed timeline how long a COVID-19 virus Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel
survives in surfaces. However, most likely it behaves like other coronaviruses. unwell.
Studies show that coronaviruses can survive on surfaces for a few hours up
to several days depending on varied conditions (e.g. type of surface,
temperature or humidity of the environment).
11. CAN COVID-19 BE CAUGHT FROM A PERSON WHO HAS NO SYMPTOMS?
If you suspect that a surface is infected, clean it with disinfectant; clean your
hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash them with soap and water;
and if possible, minimize touching your eyes, mouth or nose.
The risk of getting COVID-19 from a person without any signs and symptoms
is very low. Remember, COVID-19 is only spread through respiratory
droplets coughed by an infected person. Therefore, if an infected person does
not cough, he/she most likely will not infect others. However, many infected
persons only experience mild symptoms. This is particularly true at the early
stages of the disease. It is therefore possible to get COVID-19 from an
infected person with mild cough but is not feeling ill.
12. WHO ARE MOST LIKELY TO PRESENT WITH SEVERE SYMPTOMS?
Older people and those with underlying medical conditions such as high blood
pressure, heart problems or diabetes are most likely to develop severe or
critical form of COVID-19.
13. IS COVID-19 FATAL?
COVID-19 could be fatal, but this happens rarely. According to WHO, 82% of
infected patients will have mild presentations, 15% will have severe
manifestations, and only 3% will be critical. As mentioned before, older
people, people with compromised immune systems, and people with pre-
existing medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, are more
prone to fall severely ill with the virus. Around 2% of people infected with the
disease have died.
14. IS THERE A TREATMENT AND VACCINE FOR COVID-19?
Not yet. As of now, there is no specific treatment for or vaccine against
COVID-19. However, many of the symptoms can be treated based on the
patient’s clinical conditions. Supportive care for infected persons is highly
effective. Most of those infected have recovered with only supportive care.
Vaccines and specific drug treatments are currently being developed and are
tested through clinical trials. WHO and DOH are coordinating with those who
are developing the vaccines and medicines to determine possible availability
of these resources.
On the other hand, DOH continuously advises the public to frequently clean
or wash  hands, cover cough with a tissue or the bend of the elbow, and
maintain a distance of at least one meter from people who are coughing or
sneezing (for more information, see Section on protective and preventive
measures).
15. IS COVID-19 THE SAME WITH SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME
(SARS)?
No. The COVID-19 virus and the SARS-CoV are both coronaviruses and are
genetically related to each other, but they are different. SARS is more fatal
and deadly but less infectious than COVID-19.
C. PROTECTION AND PREVENTION
16. WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19?
DOH advises the public to practice protective measures. It is still the best way
to protect oneself against COVID-19.
a. Practice frequent and proper handwashing - wash hands often with soap
and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if
soap and water are not available.
b. Practice proper cough etiquette.
i. Cover mouth and nose using tissue or sleeves/bend of the elbow when
coughing or sneezing.
ii. Move away from people when coughing.
iii. Do not spit.
iv. Throw away used tissues properly.
v. Always wash your hands after sneezing or coughing.
vi. Use alcohol/sanitizer.
c. Maintain distance of at least one meter away from individual/s experiencing
respiratory symptoms.
d. Avoid unprotected contact with farm or wild animals (alive or dead), animal
markets, and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat).
e. Ensure that food is well-cooked.
17. WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE PROTECTION MEASURE AGAINST COVID-19?
Handwashing is the most effective means of preventing all virus infections
including COVID-19.
18. DO I NEED A MASK TO PROTECT MYSELF AGAINST COVID-19?
No. People with no respiratory signs and symptoms do not need to wear a
medical mask. DOH recommends the use of medical masks only for the
following:
a. For people who are presenting with symptoms of COVID-19;
b. Those caring for individuals who have symptoms such as cough and
fever, and
c. Health workers.
 
DOH, together with WHO, advises the rational use of medical masks to avoid
unnecessary wastage of vital resources and mis-use of masks. 
The most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are
to frequently clean or wash your hands, cover your cough with a tissue or the
bend of the elbow, and maintain a distance of at least one meter from people
who are coughing or sneezing. (For more information, see Section on
protective and preventive measures).
19. HOW TO USE AND DISPOSE OF A MEDICAL MASK?
This is how to use and dispose a medical mask:
1. Before picking an unused mask, clean hands with an alcohol based
hand sanitizer or with soap and water;
2. Pick up the mask and inspect for tears or holes;
3. Orient yourself with the top side, where the metal strip is;
 4. Identify the proper side of mask facing outside, the colored side; COVID-19 CASES RECENTLY, OR HAVE NOT BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH
ANYONE WHO RECENTLY TRAVELED TO CHINA?
5. Place the mask to you face, pinch the metal strip and mould it to your
nose and face;

6. Pull down the mask’s bottom so it covers your mouth and your chin;
In this case, there is no need to be tested for COVID-19. Please consult at
7. After use, take off the mask, remove the elastic loops from behind the your nearest health facility as deemed necessary.
ears while keeping the mask away from your face and clothes;

8. Do not allow the mask to touch or contaminate surfaces or clothes;

23. ARE THERE ANY TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS TO BE OBSERVED?
9. Avoid touching potentially contaminated parts of the mask;

10. Discard the mask in a closed bin immediately after use; and
Travel restrictions are volatile and change periodically as new developments
11. Clean your hands after discarding your mask.
emerge. Travel restrictions due to COVID-19 are decided upon by the Inter-
Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) based on a
thorough risk assessment of the current situation.
D. TRAVEL

As such, it is important to keep yourself up-to-date with the current travel

21. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19
AND HAVE RECENTLY BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH A PERSON WHO RECENTLY
TRAVELLED TO CHINA, OR HAVE BEEN TO A COUNTRY WITH CONFIRMED CASE/S
OF COVID-19?
advisories. Visit DOH’s dedicated webpage on COVID-19,
https://www.doh.gov.ph/2019-nCoV, or its official Facebook and Twitter
accounts for the latest information.

24. ARE OVERSEAS FILIPINOS FROM COUNTRIES WITH CONFIRMED COVID-19

Patients, particularly travelers from China, who show symptoms of fever and
cough should seek medical attention in a hospital immediately. Patients who
are not showing any symptoms, on the other hand, are advised to go on a 14-
day home quarantine.
22. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING MILD FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS,
BUT HAVE NOT TRAVELED TO CHINA OR ANY OTHER COUNTRY WITH CONFIRMED
CASES ALLOWED TO RETURN HOME?
Yes, they are. DOH will take care of them if they return home. Upon arrival,
they will be taken care of in a health facility for monitoring and further medical
management upon arrival for 14 days. If you have fever and/or cough upon
arrival, immediately inform the quarantine medical officer/s on duty at the
airport or seaport.
 In terms of communicating developments to the public, the Department holds
press briefings thrice a week to ensure the government’s transparency and
E. PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE AND CURRENT SITUATION accountability.

DOH also enhanced its coronavirus laboratory testing capacity, hospital

25. WHERE CAN THE PUBLIC GET INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19? preparedness, rapid response, and its risk communication and information
dissemination. Personal Protective Equipment is made available at the
Bureau of Quarantine, Centers for Health Development, and DOH Hospitals.

Finally, the Bureau of Quarantine is working with airlines and airport

The public can get information about the 2019-nCoV from the DOH’s official
press releases, website, and official social media platforms. Please be wary
of fake news and reports circulating online, and always verify the sources of
your information.
authorities to strengthen border surveillance, while the Epidemiology Bureau
is heightening its community surveillance.
REFERENCE: DOH

26. WHAT ARE THE DOH AND OTHER CONCERNED AGENCIES DOING TO CONTAIN
THE SITUATION?

DOH is closely monitoring individuals who manifested signs of respiratory

infection and had a history of travel to China or other countries with confirmed
COVID-19 cases, and is coordinating with WHO and China Center for
Disease Control for updates.  The Department is also strictly monitoring our
repatriates from Wuhan, China and the M/V Diamond Princess in Japan, and
continues to conduct contact tracing of our positive cases to ascertain that the
spread of the virus locally is put to a halt.

Moreover, DOH has instituted the Interagency Task Force for the
Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), the agency in-
charge for the overall management of COVID-19 preparedness and
response. It has likewise created the DOH Emergency Operation Center
(DOH EOC) for COVID-19, a command center in-charge of consolidating
updates and information as the COVID-19 health event evolves.