Online Portal of University of the Philippines COVID-19 News and Information
This portal serves as a compilation of verified information and resource materials on UP’s actions during this public health situation. Please bookmark and refresh this page to get the latest updates on UP’s response to COVID-19. Share this site and help us prevent the spread of misinformation. Thank you.
Messages from the UP President
About COVID-19
Health Advisory
COVID-19 Test Kit
Experts’ Advice
UP PGH Bayanihan Operations Center
News, Memos, and Announcements
Information on Constituent Universities
Resources on Remote Learning, Teaching, and Working
20 March 2020—UP president addresses the university community
Dear members of the UP community:
I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to you all for your amazing response to this crisis—a global situation the likes of which we have not seen in our lifetimes. We have been forced to suspend classes, work and all other campus activities, and to stay inside our homes and practice social distancing, all to contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and to keep our healthcare system from being dangerously overwhelmed. For some of us, the effects of these measures on our finances, work, and social lives, and on our mental and physical health, have been devastating. [Read full text]
20 March 2020—Actions on academic matters
11 March 2020—UP’s response to COVID-19
About COVID-19
Health Advisory
Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Advice for the UP Community [Read full advisory] | [Download PDF version of infographics]
What to do while at home on enhanced community quarantine:
COVID-19 Test Kit
The Philippine Genome Center: Stockpiling for COVID-19 [Learn more]
10 March 2020—As the world grapples with the spread of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 or COVID-19, countries such as the Philippines are mobilizing its experts in preparation of its impact on its citizens.
Among those actively working to address the public health concern is the Philippine Genome Center of the University of the Philippines.
On February 13, 2020, its pharmaceutical partner, Manila HealthTek, Inc. released a photo of a locally-made test kit which is the product of efforts by experts at the PGC and the National Institutes of Health, UP Manila. [Read full story]
[Video: 2:15]
COVID-19: Dr. Raul Destura explaining the process of collecting samples
Collecting samples for COVID-19 is a risky and challenging task. In this video, epidemiologist Dr. Raul Destura of the National Institutes of Health, UP Manila and Philippine Genome Center, explains how it is carefully and properly done. According to Destura, a medical professional who intends to collect samples from a suspected patient should be wearing the following: Personal protective equipment (PPE); N95 mask; gloves; goggles or face shield; water resistant or waterproof laboratory gown
All of these must be worn, observing the proper donning and doffing so as to prevent the person collecting samples from patients from getting into contact with any contaminant from the kit. The equipment, he added, must also be disposed of properly, abiding by generally-adopted protocols.
[Video: 2:00]
Experts’ Advice
*This section will be available soon
UP PGH Bayanihan Operations Center
UP PGH Bayanihan Operations Center for patient queries and donations *This page will be available soon
UP officials discuss the establishment of UP PGH Bayanihan Operations Center
UP President Danilo Concepcion, UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla, and UP Philippine General Hospital Director Gerardo Legaspi discuss the establishment of a formal system and structure to facilitate the University’s reception of support for its frontline workers. While UP has the financial capability to readily procure personal protective equipment for its health and medical personnel, the challenge has been on the supply end. [See photo story]
Isang Pagsaludo sa mga Intern ng Philippine General Hospital
