Persons under investigation for nCoV infection climbs to 284 – DOH

The number of persons under investigation (PUI) for a possible 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection has climbed to 284, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Sunday.

The 284 PUIs includes 240 were admitted to hospitals; 15 who refused admission; and 24 were discharged,

Three earlier tested positive for the virus, of whom one was a fatality.

The Philippines’ three confirmed 2019-nCoV cases were a Chinese couple—with the man becoming the first 2019-nCoV fatality outside of China—and a 60-year-old Chinese woman who has since returned to China.

Another patient, a 29-year-old Chinese male at the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, died while he was under investigation for possible 2019-nCoV infection, but tested negative for the virus.

Metro Manila has the highest number of PUIs at 108.

On Sunday, the Armed Forces Of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center in Quezon City said it has patients under observation for possible nCoV, though it did not disclose how many they are. 

The virus has so far claimed over 800 lives worldwide and infected over 37,000 others. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM/BM, GMA News