Department of Health (DOH) said that there is already a confirmed case of novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) in the Philippines.
In a press conference on Thursday, health secretary Francisco Duque III said that the first novel Coronavirus case is from a 38-year-old female Chinese patient under investigation who arrived in the country from Wuhan, China via Hong Kong on January 21, 2020.
“Her results arrived today from Victoria Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory in Melbourne, Australia,” said Duque.
Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said that the patient flew in from Hongkong via Cebu Pacific flight, then went to Cebu and Dumaguete also through Cebu Pacific trips. She then went traveled back to Manila via Philippine Airlines flight.
She was admitted in a government hospital on January 25 after experiencing mild cough. She is currently asymptomatic, which means no signs or symptoms suggesting illness. DOH did not disclose the name of the hospital.
“I assure the public that the DOH is on top of this evolving situation,” Duque added.
DOH has recorded a total of twenty-nine (29) PUIs – eighteen (18) in Metro Manila, four (4) in Central Visayas, three (3) in Western Visayas, one (1) in MIMAROPA, one (1) in Eastern Visayas, one (1) in Northern Mindanao, and one (1) in Davao. Twenty-three (23) PUIs are currently admitted and five (5) have been discharged but are still under strict monitoring. DOH also reported one PUI mortality.
“I urge the public to stay calm and remain vigilant at all times. Let us continue to practice good personal hygiene and adopt healthy lifestyles,” the Health Secretary concluded.
