Yesterday, Francisco Duque III, the Health Secretary had confirmed that there is now a low-level community outbreak of the H1N1 virus in Metro Manila with most affected areas include Quezon City, Manila and Paranaque City.  An additional 28 infected individuals adds to a total of 473 cases as of yesterday for the country’s total infected of the H1N1 virus.

The first death involving the A(H1N1) virus had been confirmed in the Philippines and is the first death in Asia. It’s a 49 year old woman who had died from her congestive heart failure but was also tested to be positive with the pandemic virus.

The heart disease of the patient was only aggravated by severe pneumonia and had only shown signs of the virus 2 days before she died on June 19.

Because of the high number of confirmed cases of the A(H1N1) virus in the Philippines, the Catholic church is now implementing the policy of no holding hands during the “Our Father” to prevent the further spreading of the virus.

2 of ABS-CBN’s employees had been tested positive for having the A(H1N1) influenza virus. It seems nobody is really exempted from this virus unless you keep yourself healthy. The virus is not lethal and the 2 employees are reported to be improving already.

ABS-CBN is coordinating with DOH regarding the 2 employees and they are also conducting contact tracing to check the conditions of the persons that have been exposed to the 2 infected employees. ABS-CBN is also implementing safety measures to prevent the virus from spreading further.

In Jaen Town of Nueva Ecija, the first community wide outbreak was reported. This was confirmed when the Department of Health followed for 2 weeks the 1 students in grade school as well as 1 four year old child had infected about 92 more people with the A(H1N1) virus.  57 more students are still being monitored at the Hilera Elementary School with the possible symptoms of the A(H1N1) virus.

The A(H1N1) virus had reached the pandemic alert and it’s the first flu pandemic over 40 years as declared by WHO.  It infected thousands of people now in 74 countries including the Philippines.

Yesterday, June 3, the La Salle’s officials had announced that they would be closing the school for quarantine of 10 days after an exchange student, a female Japanese, had been tested positive for the A(H1N1) flu virus.  Also, a male Japanese exchange student had also been confirmed to have the virus as well. This created panic and worry to all the students in DLSU in Taft Avenue as the 21 year old female exchange student is feared to have been in contact with up to 120 people.