Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian. Photo from the Chinese Embassy
MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino-Chinese group will donate 600,000 face masks to the Philippines amid reported shortage in light of the confirmation of the first case of the novel coronavirus or 2019-nCoV in the country.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said that he met with the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (PCCCII) and suggested that the group also “take care” of Filipinos.
The group, according to Huang, then decided to donate 600 boxes of face masks which is equivalent to 600,000 face masks.
“We believe, China and Philippines have come through thick and thin in the past decades, or past centuries. Now we are facing the common challenge,” Huang told reporters in a press briefing.
“We will continue to work hand-in-hand to overcome the difficulties and we are very confident, we will be able to bring our people back to the normal track,” he added.
The confirmation of the first nCoV case in the country has prompted the public to rush to drug stores to buy face masks, sanitizers and other disinfectants.
Many, however, were met with disappointment upon learning that a number of drug stores have already ran out of face masks as demands surged.
The Department of Health confirmed on Thursday afternoon that a 38-year-old Chinese tourist has been found infected with the new coronavirus that started in the city of Wuhan, China.
The Chinese woman came from Wuhan and arrived in the Philippines on January 21. She was admitted to a government hospital on January 25 due to mild cough.
The virus is believed to have originated in Wuhan City in China.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus has taken the lives of 213 people and China, with over 9,600 confirmed cases.
Huang also thanked Filipinos and the government for its concern towards China in view of the coronavirus threat.
“Thank you very much for your caring about Chinese people who are affected by the epidemic and thank you so much for the understanding and the support of the Philippine government and the Philippine people to Chinese government and Chinese people in our fight against the coronavirus,” Huang said.