The President of the Philippines is about to declare a nationwide emergency medical condition due to Covid-19 after the first reported case of domestic infection.

Speaking at a meeting in Manila today, Senator Bong Go Medical Committee Chairman and close aide to President Rodrigo Duterte, said the commission recommended the President declare a state of emergency. public health.

"We are reviewing the publication of the document saying that the President approved our recommendations on March 9," Sen. Bong Go said.

Earlier in the day, Philippine health officials said the country had recorded the first case of infection in the country and called for measures to stop the spread. The 62-year-old Filipino is in critical condition at the hospital due to various illnesses. The second domestic case is the 59-year-old wife of this patient.

According to Republic Act 11332, a public health emergency refers to the imminent threat of a disease or medical condition that can cause a high probability of death from exposure to an agent. infection. Leading health officials in the Philippines said the emergency declaration would allow easy access to the resources used to control the disease.

Covid-19 appeared in 97 countries and territories after its inauguration in Wuhan in December 2019, causing more than 102,000 infections, nearly 3,500 deaths, mainly in mainland China. The Philippines currently records 6 cases of nCoV.