CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The number of persons under investigation (PUIs) for 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD) in Central Luzon has risen to 15, said the Department of Health (DOH).

DOH-Central Luzon Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit head Dr. Jessie Fantone said the 15 PUIs are admitted in various hospitals in the region, majority at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital in this city.

He clarified, however, that the people were put under monitoring as a precautionary measure to prevent the possible spread of the disease.

During Monday's (February 3) press conference for the 2019-nCoV ARD updates, DOH-Central Luzon Medical Officer IV Ma. Eloisa Vidar said that PUIs are identified after they manifest symptoms or have travel history from China.

"PUIs do not necessarily mean they are already infected. This is only to ensure that even the slightest symptoms will be monitored, and all that have travel history from China will be accounted for," she said.

Fantone, meanwhile, said that five PUIs were already discharged as of Tuesday noon, February 4, after they tested negative for the virus.

The five PUIs include the two Kapampangans who were earlier admitted due to manifestation of cough but later tested negative for 2019-nCoV, as reported by the office of Governor Dennis Pineda.