Philippine envoy says COVID-19 situation in China 'under control'

BEIJING, China — For Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz, the COVID-19 situation here is already under control despite reports of increases in infections in the past weeks.

Interviewed by reporters covering President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr's state visit here, FlorCruz said he believes the number of COVID-19 cases in China has already reached its peak.

"Mukhang under control kasi napansin ko kagabi sa traffic along the way, mula sa airport, ang daming kotse, so mukhang nagno-normalize na... parang nag-peak na 'yung spread, nagbabalikan na 'yung mga tao sa labas," FlorCruz said.

(I think it's already under control because I noticed the traffic last night from the airport, there were a lot of cars, so I think the situation is starting to normalize. I think the number of cases already reached its peak. People are already going back to the streets.)

FlorCruz, however, was not able to provide the number of infections, specifically among Filipinos.

"Pero siyempre nandiyan pa rin 'yung concern, maingat pa rin ang mga tao, advised pa rin sila na mag-mask.. kung may symptoms, mag-stay home, huwag necessarily pupunta sa hospital lahat unless severe symptoms," he said.

(The concern is still there. People are still cautious. They are still advised to wear masks and if they have symptoms, they are advised to stay home and not to necessarily go to hospitals unless they have severe symptoms.)

Reports said funeral homes in China have reported a spike in demand for their services and international health experts predict at least one million deaths in China this year due to COVID-19.

The People's Daily, the Communist Party's official newspaper, cited Chinese experts as saying the illness caused by the virus was relatively mild for most people.

The Office of the Press Secretary said the entire Philippine media delegation tested negative for COVID-19. Members of the delegation were subjected to RT PCR test upon arrival in Beijing on Tuesday night.

Even President Marcos also had his RT PCR test.

Meanwhile, FlorCruz said members of the Filipino community were disappointed that Marcos will not have a meet and greet with them. He, however, added that they understand the situation because of the COVID-19 threat.

"Siyempre disappointed din sila at kahit papaano sana makibahagi sila sa bisitang ito pero espesyal po itong sitwasyon natin, naintindihan naman nila na una maikli lang ang bisita, ikalawa maraming protocols ang kailangang sundin lalo na health protocols kaya naintindihan naman po ng ating komunidad dito," he said.

(Of course they are disappointed but our case here is special. They understand that the visit of the President was short and there were health protocols that need to be followed.)

Marcos is set to have separate bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang on Wednesday afternoon. —KBK, GMA Integrated News