Filipino expats not obliged to take MERS tests: Embassy

The Philippine Embassy issued a statement on Monday clarifying that Filipino expatriates residing in the Kingdom are not obliged to undergo MERS-CoV testing.
“The embassy has advised health workers, like nurses, to take the test because they are exposed to patients suffering from corona virus,” an embassy official explained.
“Those wishing to take the test as a precautionary measure should go to the King Saud bin Abdulaziz Medical Complex, or Al-Shumaisi Hospital,” read the statement.
The embassy’s advisory noted that Filipinos who choose not to take the test before leaving the Kingdom, will undergo scanning upon arrival at airports in the Philippines.
It also cautioned individuals that the symptoms of the virus take 13-14 days to appear and include fever, coughing, shortness of breath and in some instances diarrhea.
Earlier, the embassy announced that one of the three nurses diagnosed with the virus had recovered after receiving treatment at King Fahd Medical City.
Doctors have advised residents and citizens to wash their hands regularly, eat and sleep well and avoid camel products.
Heeding warnings and advisories from concerned authorities, many city residents including Filipinos have been wearing facemasks.