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DOH admits limited mask supply as Pinoys in S. Korea appeal for more

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Arianne Merez, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/reuters/03/01/sk.jpg"/><figcaption>A man wearing a mask to prevent contracting the coronavirus walks past a branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony in Daegu, South Korea February 21, 2020. Kim Hong-Ji, Reuters</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA- The Department of Health admitted Monday that it would be unlikely for the government agency to accommodate the plea of Filipinos in the virus-stricken city of Daegu in South Korea for face masks as there is also limited supply of the medical gear in the Philippines.Local supply of face masks is only enough for medical workers, DOH Asec. Maria Rosario Vergeire told reporters after some overseas Filipinos appealed to the Philippine Embassy in Seoul for masks.&quot;I don&#x27;t know if we can accommodate this kind of request for now because our existing logistics are just enough for our medical workers,&quot; Vergeire said.&quot;We are having challenges in our sustainability for the supplies of these face masks,&quot; she added.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/03/01/20/pinoys-in-virus-stricken-s-korean-city-appeal-for-face-masks">Pinoys in virus-stricken S. Korean city appeal for face masks</a></li></ul>South Korea, the biggest nest of infections outside China, reported nearly 500 new cases on Monday, bringing its total past 4,000.The global death toll from the new coronavirus epidemic surpassed 3,000 as of Monday with more than 88,000 people infected, and more than 60 countries with confirmed cases since it first emerged in China late last year.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/03/02/20/global-coronavirus-death-toll-passes-3000-with-new-china-count">Global virus death toll tops 3,000 as South Korea cases soar</a></li></ul>Filipinos in the virus-stricken city of Daegu in South Korea said face masks have been difficult to acquire as the country reported more cases of the virus.No Filipino in South Korea has so far contracted the illness, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul earlier said.To augment the supply of face masks, the Department of Trade and Industry committed to provide the Department of Health with a weekly supply of face masks, Vergeire said.The DOH also tapped a local face mask manufacturer in Bataan that assured them of supply.&quot;Right now, we are still challenged but we have existing supplies which would last and are adequate for our medical workers,&quot; Vergeire said.&quot;If and when the situation heightens that&#x27;s when we will need more of these face masks,&quot; she added.Manila has banned its citizens from traveling to South Korea as a precautionary measure against the fast-spreading virus. Filipino migrant workers, permanent residents of South Korea, and those who will pursue studies in the East Asian nation, however, are exempted from the travel ban.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/26/20/government-orders-travel-ban-to-south-korea-with-exceptions-due-to-covid-19">Filipino tourists barred from traveling to South Korea due to COVID-19</a></li></ul><div>-with a report from Agence France-Presse</div>

The Department of Health admitted Monday that it would be unlikely for the government agency to accommodate the plea of Filipinos in the virus-stricken city of Daegu in South Korea for face masks as there is also limited supply of the medical gear in the Philippines.

The Department of Health admitted Monday that it would be unlikely for the government agency to accommodate the plea of Filipinos in the virus-stricken city of Daegu in South Korea for face masks as there is also limited supply of the medical gear in the Philippines.

DOH admits limited mask supply as Pinoys in S. Korea appeal for more

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DOH admits limited mask supply as Pinoys in S. Korea appeal for more

Arianne Merez,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 02, 2020 01:31 PM PHT

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DOH

Department of Health

South Korea

face masks

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