3 new PUIs in Cordillera
THREE more patients under investigation (PUI) have been placed on quarantine in the Cordillera for 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Dr. Amelita Pangilinan, director of the Department of Health (DOH) Cordillera Center for Health and Development, said the number of PUIs in the region has increased to four, but clarified that Cordillera remains 2019-nCoV-free.
The patients, according to Pangilinan, are three females and one male. They are currently stable and confined in an undisclosed health facility.
Pangilinan said the three new PUIs are Filipinos but are not related to one another. Two are from Benguet province and one from Baguio City. All had history of travel to Hong Kong and all came to the health facility voluntarily.
Results of their confirmatory tests are still pending, said Pangilinan.
"Of the four PUIs that the health department is presently attending to, two are from Benguet, one is from Baguio City and another one is from Mountain Province, who are all in stable condition and are now undergoing the necessary 14-day monitoring while we are awaiting for the results of samples sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. We still do not have any 2019-nCov ARD case in the Cordillera," she said.
The World Health Organization (WHO), in its February 5, 2020 daily global situation data, shows 22,554 confirmed 2019-nCov ARD cases. China has 24,363 cases, while 191 cases came from outside China.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III reported that after an inspection facilitated by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president and CEO Vince Dizon in Capas, Tarlac, the Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases has finalized the protocols and procedure to be implemented for the repatriation of overseas Filipinos coming from Hubei province in China.
To ensure the health and safety of Filipinos in Hubei, the DOH has recommended the voluntary repatriation of all overseas Filipinos in the province due to the 2019-nCoV ARD outbreak.
Duque highlighted the necessity of a whole-of-government approach in the implementation of the repatriation and quarantine process, and has expressed gratitude to the BCDA, which offered the use of the New Clark City as quarantine area for repatriated Filipinos.
Pangilinan, meanwhile, said all necessary medical protocols will be instituted for those repatriated Cordilleran oversees Filipino workers coming from China.
"Upon their arrival, they will undergo the necessary medical protocols set by the health department. We will follow whatever medical protocols will be given us," Pangilinan said.
During the quarantine period, one room will be allotted per person to ensure patient's safety and convenience. The room can also accommodate a family of three. The movement of the quarantined people will be limited to the building only, and packed lunch will be served and prepared for them every day within the facility.
Upon completion of the 14-day quarantine period, the discharge of all repatriated OFWs will be facilitated by the Overseas Workers Welfare Authority in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs.