THE number of patients under investigation (PUI) for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the Cordillera Administrative Region has reached 24, according to the Department of Health (DOH) regional office.

Dr. Amelita Pangilinan, OIC regional director of DOH-Cordillera, said the number is based on the start of the monitoring initiated by the DOH on January 27.

"For the Cordillera Administrative Region, we already have 24 PUIs. Ten of these or 42 percent were discharged and 14 are still admitted, with four under health facility admittance, while the 10 are home quarantined with close supervision," Pangilinan said.

She said out the 24, 17 have tested negative for Covid-19, while the remaining seven still await results and are closely being observed and monitored in their homes.

Common signs and symptoms experienced by these individuals were cough, colds, sore throat and fever. All signs and symptoms were mild as per the attending physician.

Meanwhile, the DOH-Cordillera conducted a monitoring of supply of face masks, including N95, in pharmaceutical establishments in Baguio and Benguet and found out that some stores charge higher than the prescribed retail price.

The DOH-Cordillera said eight drug stores have stocks of disposable face masks and N95, and four drug stores are selling them beyond the suggested retail price.

Pangilinan said nine establishments will also be issued a show cause order to explain the overpricing of ethyl alcohol (70% solution).