DOH monitoring possible third case of nCoV infection

The Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring a possible third confirmed case of 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019 nCoV ARD) in the Philippines, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Tuesday.

Duque made the announcement at the sidelines of the Senate hearing to discuss  government response on the nCoV threat.

“There are two confirmed cases, and one [case] for verification,” Duque said.

“We will give the report tomorrow,” Duque added.

The first case of nCoV in the Philippines was a 38-year-old Chinese female, while the second confirmed nCoV case—a 44-year-old Chinese male—was pronounced dead by authorities on Sunday.

The death of the 44-year-old Chinese male while confined at San Lazaro Hospital was the first nCoV death outside China.

As of February 4, the DOH has reported 105 cases of Persons Under Investigation (PUI) for nCoV. All of these 90 have been admitted to hospitals, while 12 have been discharged.

One died due to nCoV and one tested positive for 2019-nCoV and one died while under investigation.

Based on World Health Organization records, there are 17,391 confirmed nCoV cases globally. Of this number, 17,238 are in China.

The nCoV death toll in China has reached 425 as of February 4. — RSJ, GMA News