DOH: Lockdown of Quezon City hospital due to nCoV cases is fake news

The Department of Health (DOH) said the rumor that is circulating online about the alleged lockdown of East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) due to 2019 novel coronavirus cases (2019 nCoV) was not true.

The health department issued this statement after a netizen posted that the Quezon City-based government hospital was on lockdown because "there were 2 Chinese Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) who were confined and 3 employees manifesting symptoms of the nCoV."

"DOH flags the circulating message regarding the lockdown of East Avenue Medical Center as fake. EAMC is continuously providing healthcare services to the public at the OPD, Ward and ER Departments," the DOH said in a statement on Tuesday evening.

The agency added that the public can get announcements and public advisories about the nCoV from the DOH's official website, Facebook page and Twitter.

On Tuesday, the DOH announced that it was monitoring a possible third case of nCoV.

As of posting, health officials reported that there are 105 cases of PUIs for nCoV with 90 patients admitted in hospitals, while 12 were discharged.

On Sunday, a 44-year old Chinese national, who tested positive for nCoV, died in San Lazaro hospital. This was the first reported death outside China, where the virus originated from. — BAP, GMA News