The Covid 19 pandemic and the quarantines that came about in response to it have caused all the days to meld into one long period of waiting. How long has the Philippines been under quarantine? When did it start? These are some questions we ask while reflecting on what happened during 2020.
What is Covid19?
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus originated from Wuhan China.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illnesses.
When did Covid19 start in the Philippines?
Covid19 cases were first identified in December 2019 linked from a wet market in Wuhan China. Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed.
January 30, 2020 – The first case of the disease confirmed in the Philippines. It was a 38-year-old Chinese woman.
February 2, 2020 – The first Covid related death in the Philippines was confirmed. This was the first confirmed death outside the Chinese mainland.
February 5, 2020 – The first confirmed case of a Filipino citizen outside the Philippines was announced. The case is a crew member of a cruise ship, quarantined off the coast of Yokohama, Japan. On the same day in the Philippines, the third case in the country was confirmed.
When did community quarantine start in the Philippines?
March 11, 2020 – The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Covid19 global outbreak a pandemic.
March 12, 2020 – Philippines already at a total of 52 Covid19 cases.
March 12, 2020 – President Rodrigo Duterte announced that travel restrictions will be put in place in Metro Manila after health authorities raised the highest COVID-19 alert level. People living in Metro Manila would not be allowed in and out of the country, local air travel and local sea travel from midnight of March 15 until April 14 will not be allowed as the region is placed under community quarantine.
Outside of Metro Manila, Duterte agreed with the task force’s recommendation to let local government units down to the barangay level determine whether to put their area under quarantine.
Five deaths in the country because of the disease. Two have recovered, while others are admitted at various hospitals in the country.
March 15, 2020 – Metro Manila is placed under community quarantine as scheduled.
March 16, 2020 – During the second day of the implementation of the Metro Manila community quarantine, President Duterte declared a Luzon-wide “enhanced community quarantine” (ECQ) that aimed to further combat the effect of the continuing and increasing spread of COVID-19. The country had 142 confirmed cases, 12 deaths at the time.
| Date | Event | PH Confirmed Cases |
| December 2019 | Covid19 cases were first identified in China | 0 |
| January 30, 2020 | The first case of the disease was confirmed in the Philippines | 1 |
| February 2, 2020 | The first death from the disease in the Philippines was confirmed. | 2 |
| February 5, 2020 | The third case in the country was confirmed. | 3 |
| March 11, 2020 | World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Covid19 global outbreak a pandemic. | 49 |
| March 12, 2020 | President Rodrigo Duterte announced that travel restrictions will be put in place in Metro Manila from March 15 until April 14 as the region is placed under community quarantine | 52 |
| March 15, 2020 | Metro Manila is placed under community quarantine as scheduled. | 140 |
| March 16, 2020 | President Duterte declared a Luzon-wide “enhanced community quarantine” (ECQ) | 142 |
How to Prevent Covid19 from spreading?
The best way to prevent or slow down the transmission of the disease is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, its symptoms, and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based disinfectant frequently and not touching your face. When in public, wearing of facemask and maintaining social distancing can help to control the spread of the virus.
According to the WHO, the COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).
Filipinos are stronger than we know
The first week of the lockdown brought many to the edge of panic and despair. No leaving homes unless it’s absolutely essential, work from home for the foreseeable future, kids at home because of class suspension without playdates, indoor attractions, or playgrounds. It all seemed so impossible, and many wondered if how everyone would make it past the first few days.
Then one day passed, and we realized we hadn’t lost it, not completely anyway. Another day went by, and then a week, and somehow, we were doing it. We were rolling with these strange new circumstances, adapting to a new routine, a new way of life, without falling apart. And many of us were even thriving under the newer routine. We Filipinos were riding out the lockdown like champions! Of course, there are those with especially trying circumstances and some who have suffered mightily. We are mindful of this and empathetic as we encounter and interact with others. We learned to appreciate little things.
Appreciating little things
When daily rituals and routines we’ve always taken for granted are disrupted for an indeterminate period of time, it lends a new sense of appreciation for the small things in life:
•Sending our kids off to school
•Hugging our parents
•Going to work
•Shopping in crowded malls
•Hanging out with friends
•Eating out
•Attending weddings
And so much more. Let’s not lose the sense of wonder and hope in these challenging times. We realized to appreciate the everyday blessings of life and saw things we take for granted the important work of teachers, nurses, and those who work in service industries. The importance of family.
Stronger Filipino families
The Corona Virus-induced lockdown presented people with a very unique opportunity. For most of the people who are staying at home, this provided a chance to become closer with family especially children. Now everyone has more time to spend with them and teach children valuable life lessons.
JJS Realty and Development remains committed to its mission to build communities that thrive, provide for families with great homes, protection as well as the hope of a brighter future, and to provide homes that truly embody all their hard work; homes that are not only beautifully designed but will stand the test of time.
As communities around the world manage the pandemic, one thing we’ve all learned is that Filipinos are stronger than before. There may be many challenges, but we are always welcome to stay in the place we call home.
