DOH UPDATES THE PUBLIC ON THE 2019-NCOV ARD HEALTH EVENT

by Department of Health

Press Release / 7 February 2020

The Department of Health (DOH) today reported that as of 12NN, the cumulative total of PUIs reported is 215. Of the PUIs, 184 are currently admitted and isolated, 9 have refused admission, 17 have been discharged under strict monitoring, while 2 have died of other causes. The first PUI death is a case of pneumonia in an immunocompromised patient while the 2nd PUI death is a case of pneumonia in a patient with underlying restrictive lung disease.

“We are urging everyone, especially the PUIs who refused admission, to cooperate with the DOH, their Local Government Units and the Philippine National Police (PNP). It is our duty as citizens of this nation to assist in protecting the health of our fellowmen. We owe it to the Filipino people to do our part in preventing the spread of this disease and put everyone’s minds at ease,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

DOH through its Centers for Health Development is coordinating with Local Government Units and the PNP to assist PUIs who are refusing hospitalization. DOH is also in close coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs and concerned Embassies on foreign nationals refusing admission.

The 215 total already includes the 3 confirmed 2019-nCoV ARD cases, of which 1 is still admitted, 1 has been discharged, and 1 has died. Meanwhile, 57 PUIs have tested negative and 3 tested positive for the 2019-nCoV. DOH is awaiting 155 results.

Updates on Contact Tracing

As of February 6, 2020, the Epidemiology Bureau, together with the PNP- CIDG, has identified all 441 contacts of the 1st and 2nd case of 2019-nCoV ARD.

Of this number, 379 were passengers and crew from flights taken by the confirmed cases, while 62 contacts were from hotels/resorts, hospitals, public vehicles, and other places visited by the confirmed cases. Of the contacts reached, 203 were placed on home quarantine, while the 32 contacts exhibiting symptoms were categorized as PUIs. The remaining 206 have yet to be interviewed due to erroneous contact information but the EB is already coordinating with the PNP and local authorities to facilitate contact assessments and interviews.

Upon the release of the laboratory result of the 3rd confirmed case, EB has initiated contact tracing. To date, 106 contacts were traced, this includes all 90 co-passengers and 16 individuals from hotels and hospitals in contact with the 3rd confirmed case. Currently, 22 contacts have been interviewed and were placed on home quarantine, while 4 symptomatic contacts have been categorized as PUIs.