Pinoys in South Korea: ‘Okay lang kami dito’

Filipinos in South Korea have assured their families in the Philippines of their well-being amid the increasing number of MERS-CoV cases there with several confirmed deaths.

Interviewed on GMA News TV's “Balitanghali” on Wednesday, Jones Galang said they have yet to hear a Filipino being afflicted by the dreaded virus there.

“Sa ngayon po, wala pa po kaming balita na may Filipino na nagkaroon ng virus,” he said, adding the South Korean government's efforts to contain the spread of the virus kept Filipinos and others safe and helped alleviate fears of a complete outbreak.

Another South Korea-based Filipino, Rosabel Sadang, advised her fellow Filipinos there to cut down on unnecessary outdoor trips to remain safe from MERS-CoV, or the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus.

“Mas magandang huwag muna [maggala],” she said in a separate interview on “Balitanghali.” “[Palipasin] muna nila yung outbreak ngayon kasi nasa kasagsagan pa yung pagtaas ng pasyente. Pahupain muna nila yung outbreak.”

Asked on her situation in Seoul, Sabang said, “Ako naman po dito, okay lang po, kasama po ng aking Korean family.”

She added that while many business establishments remain open, with staff and operators donning face masks and using rubbing alcohol as precautionary measures against the disease, schools have temporarily closed to protect elementary and high school children from the virus.

“Lahat po ng aktibidades na gaganapin sana ngayon, postponed po lahat, at tsaka mga klase ng mga bata except college,” Sadang said.

But schools in Pyeongtaek, where Galang lives, will open on Friday as the place has been cleared of MERS-CoV.

“Pero ngayon po, sa Pyeongtaek ay na-clear na, itong Biyernes ay mago-open na yung mga school particular yung mga daycare center at elementarya at high school,” he said.

Both Sadang and Galang said local news are keeping them updated on developments related to MERS-CoV. Both said they haven't received notifications or warnings from the Philippine Embassy in South Korea.

They have also never heard of complaints over the cancellation of the Embassy's Independence Day celebrations, as everyone was too preoccupied with working or keeping their families safe.

“Maganda po na I -postpone na muna kasi meron namang ibang araw na ise-celebrate natin 'yan. 'Di natin pwedeng isugal yung health ng ating mga kabababayan dahil lang sa selebrasyon,” Galang said.

South Korea's health ministry announced the deaths of two more citizens and 13 new cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases to 108. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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