Ministry of Health continues health screening at the ports of entry despite travel bans. The latest update yesterday reports NO suspected cases of 2019 nCoV in Palau. Since the initiation of health screening on January 23 at the Palau International Airport and Malakal seaport to all incoming passengers, the Ministry of Health has not identified anyone suspected of the virus.
On January 28, all direct flights from mainland China, Macao, and Hong Kong were temporarily suspended through an Executive Order 433. Last week on February 5th, an addendum was made to temporarily restrict the entry of passengers originating or transiting through mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau in the past 14 days into Palau.
Ministry of Health continues to screen every passenger entering Palau despite current bans in place.
President Remengesau Jr. through the Executive Order has banned government travel to mainland China, Macau and Hong Kong and also urged avoidance of non-essential travel to these same areas.
According to the latest information from WHO and CDC, the total number of confirmed cases of 2019 nCoV virus is at 40,158 with 39,790 within mainland China.
There are now 368 confirmed cases outside of China in 28 countries and territories. There have been 906 deaths from the virus, 904 reported in mainland China and 2 outside of China, namely the Philippines and Hong Kong.
Ministry of Health urges the public to practice basic public health measures to prevent respiratory infections such as covering one’s mouth when coughing or sneezing and washing hands frequently with soap and water. (L.N. Reklai)