DOH Philippines Confirms 1st 2019-nCoV Case In The Country Today

Source:
​https://www.doh.gov.ph/doh-press-release/doh-confirms-first-2019-nCoV-case-in-the-country

The Department of Health Philippines confirms today 
the 1st ever case of 2019-nCoV in the country. 
A 38-year-old female Chinese patient under investigation (PUI)
is positive for the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
after her laboratory results arrived today from the Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory in Melbourne, Australia. 
She arrived in the Philippines from Wuhan, China
via Hong Kong last January 21, 2020.
The patient sought consult and was admitted
in one of the country’s government hospitals last January 25
after experiencing mild cough. She is currently asymptomatic. ​

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said: 

"I assure the public that the Department of Health
is on top of this evolving situation.
We were able to detect the first confirmed case
because of our strong surveillance system,
close coordination with World Health Organization
and other national agencies,
and the utilization of DOH’s decision tool.
We are working closely with the hospital
where the patient is admitted
and have activated the Incident Command System
of the said hospital for appropriate management,
specifically on infection control, case management, and containment.
We are also implementing measures to protect the health staff
providing care to these patients.” 
“I urge the public to stay calm and remain vigilant at all times.
​Let us continue to practice good personal hygiene and adopt healthy lifestyles,”

DOH continues to guarantee the public
that all necessary precautionary measures are being taken
to halt the spread of the virus. 
DOH is also in close coordination with the Inter-agency Task Force
on Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID)
which includes representatives of the Departments of Foreign Affairs (DFA),
Interior and Local Government (DILG), Justice (DOJ),
Labor and Employment (DOLE), Tourism (DOT), Transportation (DOTr),
and Information and Communications Technology (DICT). 

DOH has recorded a total of 29 PUIs (Patient Under Investigation) –
18 in Metro Manila, 4 in Central Visayas, 3 in Western Visayas,
1 in MIMAROPA, 1 in Eastern Visayas,
1 in Northern Mindanao, 1 in Davao.
23 PUIs are currently admitted and 5 have been discharged
but are still under strict monitoring.
​DOH also reported one PUI mortality.