1. Gerafusco, Erica G.
November 19,2013
BSOA1-1D
DFA confirms first Pinoy coronavirus
death in Saudi
By MICHAELA DEL CALLARSeptember 17, 2013 5:48pm
1335 23 6 2337
Tags: coronavirus
A 41-year-old female Filipino nurse died of MERS coronavirus in Saudi Arabia last month, the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday.
The Filipino, whose identity was not disclosed, is the first reported fatality from the Philippines. She
died at a hospital in Riyadh last August 29.
A medical report obtained by the Philippine Embassy says the deceased “tested positive for the
coronavirus before her death,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez told a press briefing.
The hospital’s VIP ward supervisor said prior to her death, the Filipina went to the United States for a
vacation on July 13. She returned to Riyadh on July 19 and reported for work on July 21.
In mid-August, she complained of fever and coughing and developed respiratory distress. She was
put on a ventilator on Aug. 22.
Two days later, she was diagnosed with severe pneumonia and had to be transferred to the
hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
“The hospital’s Deputy Director of Medical Administration said that the remains of the deceased
overseas Filipino worker does not pose a public risk for as long as it is placed inside an impermeable
body bag,” Hernandez said.
“Her family has already been informed of her demise and we are awaiting the Department of
Health’s guidance regarding the repatriation of her remains,” he added.
Hernandez said another Filipina is currently confined at the same hospital after testing positive for
Coronavirus. “She is now recovering,” he said.
The patient was brought by her employer to the hospital for dialysis and was infected during her
confinement, Hernandez said.

2. Gerafusco, Erica G.
November 19,2013
BSOA1-1D
Filipinos in affected countries are advised to follow the measures being taken by local health
authorities to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
“They should also immediately seek medical attention if they feel any of the disease’s symptoms,”
Hernandez said.
Symptoms of coronavirus, according to the World Health Organization, include fever, cough,
shortness of breath and even diarrhea.
Saudi Arabia, home to at least 1 million Filipino workers, has been most affected by the virus, which
is fast spreading throughout the Middle East and has spilled over to some countries in Europe like
Germany, Britain and France. — KBK, GMA News
Tags: coronavirus
NATION
Filipina dies of Mers virus in
Saudi
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POSTED ON 09/17/2013 5:11 PM | UPDATED 09/17/2013 6:05 PM
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3. Gerafusco, Erica G.
November 19,2013
BSOA1-1D
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DEADLY NEW VIRUS. This undated handout picture courtesy of the British Health Protection Agency shows the
Coronavirus seen under an electron microscope. AFP PHOTO / British Health Protection Agency
MANILA, Philippines – A 41-year-old Filipina nurse in Riyadh died August 29 of Mers, a new
respiratory disease monitored worldwide but has hit Saudi Arabia worst.
The Philippine embassy in Riyadh obtained a medical report confirming that the Filipina “tested
positive for the corona virus before her death,” said Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman
Raul Hernandez on Tuesday, September 17.
“Her family has already been informed of her demise and we are awaiting the Department of
Health’s guidance regarding the repatriation of her remains,” Hernandez said in a press briefing.
“Mers” stands for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, which has an extremely high fatality rate of
more than 51%. There is still no vaccine for it.
It is considered a cousin of the Sars virus that erupted in Asia in 2003 and infected 8,273 people, 9%
of whom died.

4. Gerafusco, Erica G.
November 19,2013
BSOA1-1D
The World Health Organization (WHO) has monitored 49 deaths from Mers as of August, with 43 of
them in Saudi Arabia, according to various reports.
Another Filipina confined
Citing a report from the VIP ward supervisor of the hospital where the Filipina nurse worked and
died, Hernandez said the Filipina went to the United States for a vacation on July 13. She returned
to Ryadh on July 19 and reported for work on July 21.
On August 12, she was admitted to the hospital after a fishbone got stuck in her throat. She was
discharged on August 14.
Five days later, she complained of fever and coughing. She developed respiratory distress and was
put on a ventilator on August 22. Two days later, she was diagnosed with severe pneumonia and
had to be transferred to the hospital’s intensive care unit.
“Per the hospital’s supervisor, another Filipina is currently confined at the same hospital after testing
positive for Mers-COV,” Hernandez said.
This other patient was brought by her employer to the hospital for dialysis. She was infected during
her confinement, but is now recovering.
The deputy director for medical administration of the Riyadh hospital had said that the remains of the
deceased overseas Filipino worker “does not pose a public risk for as long as it is placed inside an
impermeable body bag,” Hernandez said.
“In the meantime. Our citizens in affected countries are advised to follow the measures being taken
by local health authorities to prevent the spread of virus,” the DFA spokesman said.
“They should also immediately seek medical attention if they feel any of the disease’s symptoms.
These symptoms, according to the WHO, include fever, cough, shortness of breath and even
diarrhea,” he said. – Rappler.com