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By APD writer Melo M. Acuña
**MANILA, Jan. 30 (APD) ** – Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III confirmed the first 2019-nCOV case in the Philippines late Thursday afternoon.
In a press conference a few minutes ago, Secretary Duque said a 38-year-old Chinese woman tested positive for the virus.
“The laboratory results arrived today from Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory in Melbourne, Australia,” said Dr. Duque in a press briefing carried live on television.
“(The) Department of Health, however, continues to guarantee the public that all necessary precautionary measures are being taken to halt the spread of the virus,” he said.
He added the Chinese national arrived from Wuhan, Chine through Hong Kong last Tuesday, January 21 and consulted medical professionals and was admitted at an undisclosed government facility last Saturday, January 25 after experiencing mild cough.
“She had no fever and other symptoms when she arrived. We’re also monitoring Cebu and Dumaguete cities where the patient went before her hospital confinement,” the cabinet secretary said.
During the press briefing, Secretary Duque said they were able to detect the first confirmed case because of their strong surveillance system, close coordination with World Health Organization and other national agencies and the utilization of their decision tool.
The Incident Command System at the undisclosed hospital where the patient has been admitted has been activated for appropriate management, specifically infection control, case management and containment. Efforts are also being implemented to protect the health staff providing care to patients.
It was learned there are 29 PUIs (Patients Under Investigation) with 18 in Metro Manila, four in Central Visayas, three in Western Visayas, one each in MIMAROPA, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Davao. Twenty-three PUIs are currently confined to hospitals while five have been discharged though they are still undergoing strict monitoring.
The Department of Health reported one PUI mortality yesterday. It was not clear whether the fatality was due to the 2019-nCOV or other disease.
Secretary Duque called on the general public to “stay calm and remain vigilant at all times” as he called on everyone to practice good personal hygiene and adopt health lifestyles.”
(Cover: Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III confirms the first 2019-nCOV case in the Philippines. /Melo M. Acuna)
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)