DOH: 5 confirmed COVID-19 patients discharged, to undergo home quarantine

Five out of the 140 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines have already been discharged and will undergo home quarantine instead, a Health official said Sunday.

“Sila po ay positibo ngunit sila po ay walang sintomas o ‘di kaya ‘yung iba ay mild symptoms. Base po sa bagong desisyon namin ngayon para hindi mas mahawa ang mga tao… sa bahay na lang po muna sila at mag-i-isolate sila do’n,” said Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a radio interview.

Vergeire clarified that this does not mean that the patients have recovered, but merely that their symptoms are mild enough to permit a home quarantine.

“Ang naka-recover na po sa sakit na ito ay dalawa. Ito pong dalawang ito ay ‘yung dalawang Chinese nationals,” she said, referring to Patients 1 and 3 who both tested positive in January.

She added that the majority of the 140 COVID-19 cases are only exhibiting mild symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and fever.

More severe symptoms include difficulty in breathing.

The death toll due to COVID-19 climbed to 11 on Sunday, while the number of infections rose to 140 after 29 new cases were confirmed by the Department of Health. —JST, GMA News