The Manila Health Department (MHD) is currently distributing 116,000 face masks to six districts of the city to guard against the deadly 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso ordered the distribution of free face masks to students in the elementary and high school levels hours after the Department of Health (DOH) announced the first 2019-nCoV infection in the Philippines.

The face masks came mostly from donations, while others were purchased by the city government, according to the Office of the Mayor.

These masks will be distributed to the 56 health centers of the six districts of Manila.

Face masks will also be distributed to the public schools in Manila.

Each health center will be allotted approximately 2,000 face masks, more or less.

Earlier on February 3, the Manila City government received a donation of 50,000 face masks from the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The Philippines confirmed that a man who tested positive for the new coronavirus died on February 1.

The 44-year-old man was the second confirmed case in the Philippines.

Officials from the DOH said he was the companion of the person in the first confirmed case, a 38-year-old woman. Both the first and second victims came from Wuhan, China and were confined at the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila.

On the other hand, the MHD has also started conducting precautionary procedures by disinfecting selected schools as requested by the community.

Members of the Manila City Security Force started on February 3 using infrared thermometers before they allow visitors to enter City Hall premises.

A total of 110 gun thermometers were also received by the Manila City government from several donors and distributed in the Manila City Hall, clinic, district offices and health centers.

Face mask supply in some pharmacies and stores have run out earlier, with some students scrambling over limited stocks.

Different government establishments are also taking precautionary measures, including using infrared gun thermometers and infrared cameras to check on the temperatures of those visiting the government facilities./STACY ANG