By Emme Rose Santiagudo
Seven persons who all traveled to China are under medical observation in different areas of Western Visayas after showing signs and symptoms of suspected 2019-novel coronavirus (n-CoV) infection.
Dr. Jane Juanico, head of the Infectious Disease Cluster of the Department of Health Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD)-6, revealed on Sunday.
But Juanico clarified that the seven individuals are not included in the list of five additional persons under investigation (PUI) in the country.
As of Saturday noon, DOH has reported five additional patients under investigation (PUIs), bringing the total recorded number of PUIs to 36.
Twenty-three PUIs are currently admitted and isolated, while 10 have been discharged under strict monitoring.
Persons under investigation or PUIs are those who had specifically traveled to Hubei province where Wuhan City—the center of the outbreak—is situated.
Other patients are under observation for nCoV-related health events or symptomatic patients with travel history from any region in China in the past two weeks.
Juanico said the seven persons under observation include a 23-year-old flight attendant and a Hong Kong national in Aklan.
According to Juanico, the two are currently admitted to Rafael Tumbokon Memorial Provincial Hospital after manifesting cough and light fever.
“The two of them have a history of travel in China. We were able to monitor the flight attendant three days ago and the Hong Kong national two days ago at the Kalibo International Airport in Aklan,” Juanico told Daily Guardian.
Juanico said specimens from due have already been extracted and were sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for confirmation.
In Iloilo City, a Chinese and a Taiwanese tourist are both under medical investigation at the referral hospital in West Visayas Medical Center (WVMC), according to Juanico.
She said that the three-year-old Chinese kid from Hong Kong who experienced fever is still admitted at the referral hospital as the authorities are still waiting for the results of the confirmation test.
“We are just waiting for the results of the three-year-old kid,” Juanico said.
On the other hand, a Taiwanese national who arrived from Beijing, China was admitted Friday after showing signs of fever and cough.
“Based on our monitoring, the Taiwanese national arrived in Iloilo City last January 27 via Manila, The Taiwanese is still under monitoring in our referral hospital and we will send his specimen for testing on Monday,” she added.
Aside from the above-mentioned individuals, Juanico said three Chinese nationals are also under home quarantine in Banate, Iloilo after indicating symptoms of cough, runny nose, and fever.
“The Rural Health Unit is closely monitoring them as ordered by the local government of Banate,” she said.
According to Juanico, the Chinese family (composed of a mother, son, and daughter) were from Fujian, China where they spent their vacation. They arrived in Iloilo last Jan. 29 via Mactan, Cebu.
The health department and the local government units are closely monitoring all the possible itineraries of the seven individuals to track the persons, vehicles, and even places where the individuals stayed.
“We are closely monitoring ang ila itinerary and medyo tam-an gid kadamo so asta subong sige pa amon monitor,” Juanico said.
She also urged the public who manifested signs and symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and other flu-like symptoms to seek medical attention immediately.
“It is important nga mapa-check-up na lang sila indi lang because of the 2019 nCov but because madamo man aton mga uso nga sakit subong like common colds and influenza,” she said.
The health department reiterated its call for the public to practice self-protection measures against the 2019-nCov such as frequent handwashing with soap and water and observing proper cough etiquette.
“Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. It also important to avoid close contact with people showing cold or flu-like symptoms and those with unprotected contact with farm or wild animals,” DOH-CHD 6 said.
DOH-CHD 6 also advised travelers with symptoms of respiratory illness, either during or after travel to seek medical attention immediately.
