Diamond Princess repatriates showing COVID-19 symptoms now 10 –DOH

The number of repatriates from the Diamond Princess cruise ship who manifested symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had risen to 10, a health official said Sunday.

Interviewed on GMA News TV’s Balitanghali Weekend, Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire added that all 10 repatriates were in stable condition.

"Sampu po sila na nagkaron ng mga sintomas at dinala sa ating referral hospital sa Pampanga... Pito na sa kanila ang lumabas ang lab results at ito ay negatibo. Tatlo na lang po ang inaantay nating resulta sa ngayon,” Vergeire said.

The Department of Health earlier reported that seven repatriates had already tested negative for the virus after experiencing sore throats and non-productive cough. 

All 445 repatriates from the cruise ship began their 14-day quarantine at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac last Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Vergeire said that the number of Filipinos abroad who have tested positive for COVID-19 rose to 86 on Saturday after a Filipina in Singapore was confirmed to have the coronavirus. 

Vergeire said the 41-year-old Filipina was in stable condition at a hospital.

Sixteen out of the 80 Filipinos who tested positive for COVID-19 aboard the Diamond Princess had already been discharged, she added.

“So we are left with 64 na naka-admit pa rin sa iba’t ibang ospital sa Tokyo. Meron tayong dalawa sa United Arab Emirates, meron tayong dalawa sa Hong Kong, at meron din tayong dalawa sa Singapore,” she said. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News