2019-nCoV scare affects Panagbenga Fest

BAGUIO. Baguio General Hospital Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Thea Cajulao demonstrates the proper use and disposal of the surgical facemask during the briefing on the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD) at the DOH-CAR training center last week. (Photo by Redjie Melvic Cawis)
BAGUIO. Baguio General Hospital Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Thea Cajulao demonstrates the proper use and disposal of the surgical facemask during the briefing on the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD) at the DOH-CAR training center last week. (Photo by Redjie Melvic Cawis)

THE indefinite postponement of events under the Baguio Flower Festival or Panagbenga Festival has diminished interest in the Baguio Blooms exhibit.

Baguio Flower Festival Incorporated media head Andrew Pinero said they have not been able to fill up the 100 stalls at the Baguio Convention Center parking grounds.

Pinero said the dwindling number of tenants is due to the change in venue from the previous Burnham Park to the BCC grounds as well as the ongoing global health issue of the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD).

Pinero said the Baguio Blooms is still accepting tenants to date and will be adjusting rates when interested groups decide to take on the spaces provided at the BCC.

The annual events gathers traders from the local and national scene to showcase the best of products during the annual festival.

Pinero added the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio has yet to quantify losses incurred at this point but added the health department has given guidelines on how to handle tourist influx at establishments to keep health concerns at the top priority.

Last week, Baguio mayor Benjamin Magalong postponed indefinitely both the grand opening of the Bagiuo Flower Festival and the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (Caraa) to ensure health safety of all.

Pinero said the global health issue has affected the tourism sector of the city citing cancellations from the Baguio Country club citing travel precautions taken by those coming from abroad.

Magalong said economic backlash from the postponement of events is the least of city concerns in the wake of the health scare.

The Department of Health (DOH) Cordillera assures the region still remains free of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus but admitted the Regional Health Department is currently monitoring an individual from China who arrived in the region last January 19, 2020 but without no history of travel to Wuhan, China aside from having any known contact with a confirmed 2019 case, Severe Acute Respiratory Case or sick animals.

The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) has closed its doors to visitors to safeguard health of plebes and the public from the 2019-nCov ARD.

Captain Cheryl Tindog, PMA spokesperson, said the PMA been temporarily closed to visitors until further notice and is in coordination with the Baguio local government and health authorities.

“This is a proactive measure to safeguard the health and safety of our cadets and the general public from the Novel Corona Virus. The cadets’ parents and relatives, however, may visit the cadets with the supervision of the PMA health practitioners,” she added.

The PMA spokesperson added personnel from the Fort del Pilar Station Hospital conducted information dissemination for cadets and personnel of PMA about the virus and measures to protect themselves from being exposed to and infected by it.

“Hand hygiene is being practiced. The Station Hospital is also extensively monitoring anyone who will be showing symptoms. The Academy also suspended the weekend leaves, privileges and official businesses of the cadets outside PMA, to include crowd drawing activities in which they are invited to participate in.”

Meanwhile, she added there is no advice on official dates for the annual PMA alumni Homecoming, the annual event, a traditional meet gathering all alumni and active soldiers in their alma mater at the Fort del Pilar.

Coronaviruses are 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).

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