A TOTAL of 13 patients under investigations (PUIs) have been discharged with negative laboratory results of novel coronavirus disease called Covid-19 while two others were cleared due to beyond 14 days observation in Eastern Visayas as of Wednesday, February 12.
Health officials in the region said that only one PUI case is currently admitted and isolated in the Department of Health (DOH) referral hospital.
There are also two persons under monitoring (PUMs) in the region.
“The new PUI who currently admitted was identified last February 11, 2020. Sample specimen collection were done and awaiting for the results from Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM),” the DOH in the region said.
According to the health department, the 16th PUI is a 25-year-old female, Filipino, from Samar who worked in Jiangsu, China and arrived in the Philippines for a vacation on January 30, 2020.
Upon admission on February 11, 2020, the patient experienced mild sore throat, cough and colds.
“She is now isolated and accordingly managed,” the department said in a statement.
“As of today, no local transmission of the said virus in the Philippines and Eastern Visayas remains free from 2019 nCoV acute respiratory disease or its new name Covid-19,” it added.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has “Covid-19” or coronavirus disease 2019 as a new name for the novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD).
Earlier, the DOH in the region urged those who have a history of travel in countries with confirmed case of 2019-nCoV ARD, especially in China who will be coming in Eastern Visayas, “to please report and coordinate to the health officials if flu-like symptoms occur within 14 days upon arrival and share your history of travel.”
The health department also discouraged the public to attend, participate, and organize a public events and gatherings that draw a large number of crowds in a single space.
“It is likewise recommended to cancel of such planned big events or mass gathering until further advice. This is to minimize the risk of contracting 2019- nCoV ARD,” the Department said in a statement.
“We also remind the public to please avoid posting and sharing unverified information on all social media platforms to avoid panic and misinformation,” it added.
Some of the precautionary measures in avoiding coronavirus include frequent hand-washing, maintain distance and cover nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing; boost one’s immune system by eating healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits, taking vitamin C; and having enough rest.
As of February 11, the country has 266 admitted PUIs, 111 discharged, and two mortality. (SunStar Philippines)