As of noontime of Friday, 386 patients under investigation (PUI) have tested negative for the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and that there are only currently 66 cases with pending test results.

At present, there are 191 PUIs who are admitted at various health facilities. A total of 260 patients have already been discharged including the two (2) confirmed cases. The Department of Health (DOH) has also recorded 1 new PUI mortality due to cardiovascular attack. The said patient is negative for the 2019-nCoV.

“We are glad that most of our PUIs tested negative for 2019-nCoV. While this is very welcome news, we at the DOH will continue our preparations for the possibility of local transmission,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said.

Updates on Repatriates

As of yesterday, one repatriate, a 25-year-old female, was admitted to Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital due to fever and ear pain. The patient, who tested negative for the 2019-nCoV, was managed as a case of outer ear infection. Patient will be brought back to the New Clark City to complete the 14-day quarantine procedure.

Another repatriate, a 25-year-old female, will be referred to the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center today for further evaluation and management after exhibiting anxiety-related symptoms. The rest of the repatriates under quarantine remain to be with no respiratory symptoms.

Updates on Contact Tracing

As of February 14, the Epidemiology Bureau revealed that of the 277 interviewed contacts of the first and second cases of COVID-19, 218 have completed their 14-day home quarantine while 15 are still on home quarantine. 44 contacts found to be symptomatic have been admitted as PUIs.

On the third confirmed case, a total of 255 (34%) out of 740 contacts were traced, including co-passengers and individual contacts from hotels and hospitals. Currently, 172 (67% of traced contacts) have been interviewed, of these 93 have completed their home quarantine, while 62 are still on home quarantine. 17 symptomatic contacts have been categorized as PUIs and admitted for isolation and monitoring./Stacy Ang