Romblon health officials monitoring 4 Chinese tourists from Hubei province, China

ODIONGAN, Romblon — Health officials in Romblon province are currently monitoring four Chinese nationals from Shiyan, Hubei Province, China who arrived in Romblon province on Friday due to the global spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus.

The tourists, two female and two male, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last Monday, January 27. They took the bus to Lucena in Quezon before taking a RoRo (Roll-on/roll-off) going to Tablas Island, Romblon.

Dra. Ederlina Aguirre, provincial health officer, on Friday evening told GMA News that the tourists seem healthy.

"Okay naman sila, walang may lagnat, walang may headache, walang may sipon, at walang may-ubo. In-fact naligo pa nga sila kanina sa dagat doon sa resort," Aguirre told GMA News.

Health officials in Romblon also didn't categorize the tourists as 'Person Under Investigation,' but they assured the public that they will still monitor their movements until they leave the province.

The tourists were also advised to call the Provincial Health Office once they feel any symptoms of the 2019-nCoV while in Romblon.

On Thursday, the Department of Health confirmed the Philippines' first case of the 2019-nCoV.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the patient is a 38-year-old woman who traveled to the Philippines from Wuhan, via Hong Kong, on January 21.

According to a source, the woman is already in stable condition.

DOH reported that a total of 31 patients are currently under investigation (PUIs) in the country as of Friday afternoon. — BAP/KG, GMA News