MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino nurse in Ireland has tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a Philippine diplomat said Thursday.
While Consul General Senen Mangalile, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Philippine Embassy in London, did not disclose further details about the nurse, he said the nurse is not in critical condition.
“Sa Ireland po mayroon tayong isang nurse na positibo (sa COVID-19) pero hindi naman masama ang kanyang lagay,” he said in an interview over dzMM.
(In Ireland, one nurse tested positive for COVID-19, but his or her condition is not critical.)
Schools, universities, childcare facilities and pubs across Ireland have been ordered shut by the government until April 19 in an effort to contain the virus.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has been placed under lockdown for three weeks.
In the Philippines, 636 individuals were so far confirmed to have contracted COVID-19, with 38 deaths and 26 fatalities.
The entire Luzon was also placed under enhanced community quarantine in a bid to curb the spread of the infection.
READ: Luzon now under ‘enhanced community quarantine’ – Palace
The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic since it has already infected more than 244,500 people and killed more than 10,000, mostly in China, Italy, and Iran. On the other hand, 86,000 people have recovered so far from the disease, mostly in China.
People who have COVID-19 could recover as for most people, its symptoms are mild like fever and cough. But the illness could also be worse or serious for others and possibly lead to pneumonia, especially for older adults and those with existing health problems.
The United Nations has warned that the crisis could lead to the loss of nearly 25 million jobs around the world.