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By APD writer Melo M. Acuña
**MANILA ** – Secretary Francisco T. Duque reported the first death from 2019-nCOV outside China in the Philippines at a press briefing at about 11:00 A.M. today.
He said the two confirmed cases are the previously-announced 38-year old Chinese female and her companion, a 44-year-old Chinese male who were both admitted for isolation and supportive treatment at San Lazaro Hospital in downtown Manila
“Both patients are from Wuhan, China and arrived in the Philippines via Hong Kong last January 21,2020. The second confirmed case was admitted for pneumonia last January 25, 2020 after experiencing fever, cough and sore throat,” Secretary Duque said in a prepared statement.
“DOH also confirmed that the 44-year-old male died yesterday, February 1,2020. Over the course of the patient’s admission, he developed severe pneumonia due to viral and bacterial infections (S. pneumoniae and influenza B). In his last few days, the patient was stable and showed signs of improvement, however, the condition of the patient deteriorated within his last 24 hours resulting in his demise,” he added.
He underscored there is no evidence of local transmission. “I would like to emphasize that this is an imported case,” he explained.
The Health secretary said they are working with the Chinese Embassy to ensure the dignified management of the remains according to national and international standards to contain the disease.
Health Undersecretary Rolando Enrique D. Domingo said the remains will be cremated as provided in protocols to contain the spread of the disease.
No other details have been provided except that Philippine health authorities are checking on the conditions of the victim’s fellow passengers from Hong Kong to Cebu, Cebu to Dumaguete and Dumaguete to Manila.
The fatality’s identity has not been released.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
