MANILA – A Chinese woman from Wuhan City, ground zero of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) outbreak in China, is the first recorded case in the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed yesterday afternoon.
Health secretary Francisco Duque said the 38-year-old patient under investigation (PUI) tested positive for the virus.
Samples from her were analyzed at the Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory in Melbourne, Australia.
The PUI entered the country from Wuhan City via Hong Kong on Jan. 21. She visited the cities of Cebu and Dumaguete, according to Duque.
After experiencing mild cough, the tourist sought medical attention and was subsequently admitted at a government hospital in Manila on Jan. 25.
“I assure the public that the Department of Health is on top of this evolving situation. We were able to detect the first confirmed case because of our strong surveillance system, close coordination with World Health Organization and other national agencies, and the utilization of DOH’s decision tool,” Duque said.
The woman was “asymptomatic” which means that the patient showed no signs of fever and “no symptoms suggesting illness,” he added.
DOH is working closely with the hospital where the patient is admitted, said Duque, and has activated that hospital’s “Incident Command System” for appropriate management, specifically on infection control, case management, and containment.
“We are also implementing measures to protect the health staff providing care to the patients,” added Duque.
He declined to identify the hospital to ensure the patient’s safety.
DOH has recorded a total of 29 PUIs – 18 in Metro Manila, four in Central Visayas, three in Western Visayas, one in MIMAROPA, one in Eastern Visayas, one in Northern Mindanao, and one in Davao.
Duque said DOH continues to guarantee the public that all necessary precautionary measures are being taken to halt the spread of the virus.
“I urge the public to stay calm and remain vigilant at all times. Let us continue to practice good personal hygiene and adopt healthy lifestyles,” Duque said./PN
