The Department of Health revealed one suspected case of the novel coronovirus (nCoV) detected in the city as of January 29.
Based on the data from the nCoV situational report of the DOH as of 12 p.m. yesterday, one person under investigation was reported in the city out of the 23 suspected cases in the country. These cases were placed under investigation for further examination.
However, with the data from DOH, health sectors in the city has not yet released a statement regarding the suspected case.
DOH also said that health authorities are keeping a watchful eye on the 17 suspected cases recorded from the National Capital Region (NCR), 1 from Western Visayas, 1 from MIMAROPA, 1 from Eastern Visayas, 2 from Central Visayas, and 1 from Davao.
Earlier, DOH recorded 27 suspected cases, however, four of which tested negative from the series of examinations done and was discharged from the hospitals where they have been tested.
“The Philippines remains free from the 2019-nCoV. Confirmed cases, zero,” DOH confirmed.
Although there are no confirmed cases as of the moment, DOH reminded and urged the public to stay calm but vigilant.
Meanwhile, in a recent interview, Gene Gulanes, City Health Office (CHO) officer in charge said that there are no confirmed cases in the city. However, he revealed that there were three individuals who went to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) after they experienced some of the symptoms of nCoV.
“The idea of them being from outside the country has contributed to their thoughts that maybe they have acquired the coronavirus. But their symptoms felt were far from the symptoms of the coronavirus,” he said.
The symptoms, Gudales said, are the same as of the ordinary flu.
One individual was a Chinese national who had gone to the country for business. Another one was traveling from Thailand and arrived in the city. There is no detail on the third monitored case. “But nevertheless, these individuals tested negative from the said disease,” he confirmed.
“They only acquired a symptom that does not fit the coronavirus symptom. It is really far from the disease. They only surrendered themselves because they felt unwell and that they are from another country.
“But I will stress this, they all tested negative from the examinations we conducted. So there is no need to panic,” he assured.
As of now, these individuals are under investigation to see to it that their symptoms will not worsen.
He also added that the CHO team is conducting regular monitoring in the city.
Councilor Joselle Villafuerte, committee chair on health, also confirmed no suspected or confirmed case of nCoV in the city. During her privilege speech on Tuesday at the regular session, she highlighted the measures done by the security sector, the health sector, and the city government to prevent the coronavirus from entering the city.
“We realize there will be suspected cases who may arrive and there have been a few that I have been informed. All have tested negative for novel coronavirus. So I may repeat what CHO and the Department of Health (DOH) has been announcing all week, that we have no confirmed cases as of now,” she said.
“I am in contact daily with DOH, and they are informing me of the latest developments,” she added.
She reiterated that the city is prepared. Isolation rooms and ambulances are readied, thermal scanners are fully functional, and security in all the entry points of the city are tightened.
