CNN Philippines, one of the country’s largest news channels, announced this morning that it will temporarily go off the air after an employee who works in the same building tested positive for the potentially deadly COVID-19.
In an announcement on its social media accounts, CNN Philippines said that they “have received word that there is one confirmed case of the coronavirus at Worldwide Corporate Center along Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong, where CNN Philippines is located.”
The management of the building has decided to disinfect the premises as soon as possible, they added.
CNN Philippines temporarily goes off air after an employee within the building tests positive for COVID-19.
We continue to deliver #NewsYouCanTrust through our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages, as well as our Viber community https://t.co/uAy4Xpfx3d pic.twitter.com/P4vBnODboC
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) March 18, 2020
“That means we will be off the air for at least 24 hours… [but] we will keep doing our work. We will continue to provide you the news through our website and our social media platforms — Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. We will also update you with all that is happening on Viber,” the statement said.
The news channel assured the public that it has prepared for this eventuality.
“For more than two weeks now, many of our colleagues have been isolate[d] and working from home already. We took that step in anticipation of something like this to happen. CNN Philippines still has a team working to gather stories that matter to bring them to you as they happen,” it said.
At present, the Philippines has recorded 187 COVID-19 cases, with 14 patients dead. Four people — two Filipinos and two Chinese nationals — have recovered from the disease.
Launched in March 2015, CNN Philippines is the fifth local franchise of CNN in Asia, and broadcasts local shows such as Balitaan, News Day, and Sports Desk.
