PH is still free of 2019 nCoV yet 24 people are under investigation
The Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday that Philippines is still free from new coronavirus nCoV strain. However, the number of people under investigation (PUI) has almost doubled in just 24 hours as it reached for 24 individuals.
According to DOH, most of the patients were Chinese nationals. It is reported that there is still no Filipino involved. It is said that 18 of the PUI are admitted in Metro Manila Hospital. The other suspected cases were recorded in Mimaropa, the Visayas, and Northern Mindanao.
Results on tests confirmation from Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and Australia’s Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory are still pending.
Aside from the 24 PUIs, the three patient who were subjected to strict observation were cleared and discharged after results revealed other disease.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has temporarily stopped the issuance of tourist visas for Chinese nationals in order to reduce the chance of virus transmission.
The novel coronavirus was detected last December in China’s Hubei province, Wuhan City. The China virus has already reached Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, U.S., Canada, and France as per World Health Organization.
“There is still no known treatment or vaccine for the 2019-nCoV,” said DOH Secretary Francisco Duque.
The Chinese government said that death number reached over 100 and more than 4,000 have already been infected.
Meanwhile, WHO Country Rep. Dr, Rabindra Abeyasinghe said that there are 4,515 confirmed cases of nCoV as of last night. It includes 37 cases in 11 countries outside China. In addition, all provinces of China except Tibet have cases.
