The Department of Health (DoH) on Friday said that five repatriates from the M/V Diamond Princess cruise ship who are currently quarantined at the Athletes’ Village in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac showed signs and symptoms of respiratory illness.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that one of the repatriates experienced cough while the rest experienced throat discomfort. Of the five individuals, two have already tested negative for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“Their specimens were collected and sent for testing at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine,” said Duque during a press briefing at the DoH-Central Office in Manila.
“While we are still waiting for the other test results, we assure the public that our referral hospitals are well-equipped and prepared to handle COVID-19 cases once they arise. Our health response team at the quarantine facility is being extra cautious to prevent further health risks,” he added.
To note, there are 458 persons under quarantine at the Athletes’ Village in New Clark City. Of the said figure, 445 were Filipinos repatriated from the M/V Diamond Princess cruise ship, while the 13 others were part of the Philippine repatriation team.
Asked if there is a need to establish a medical isolation facility inside the NCC for the management of those who manifested symptoms of COVID-19, Duque said that “there has been no recommendation to that effect.”
“NCC has a polyclinic but if we put them there what more? We can already bring them straight to the isolation rooms of our [medical] facilities,” said Duque.
Meanwhile, eight of the 10 Filipinos from the said cruise ship who have since recovered from COVID-19 are already back in the Philippines, said Duque.
“I am told that they are back in the Philippines and since they have tested negative following the Japan protocol, I believe that they make not be quarantined but however, they have to be monitored closely by our local epidemiology surveillance officers,” said the health chief.
Duque added that any recommendation or proposal to include Japan for a possible selective or absolute travel ban is up for the task force to consider.
85 FILIPINOS
OVERSEAS INFECTED
The health chief reported that as of Friday afternoon, there are now only 30 persons under investigation (PUIs) admitted in various health facilities.
“A total of 585 patients have already been discharged. To date, 531 PUIs have tested negative for the 2019 novel coronavirus,” said Duque.
“We are observing a steady decrease in the number of PUIs admitted in our health facilities and DoH is bent on sustaining this downward trend. While there is a looming prospect of positive COVID-19 cases among our repatriated kababayans, we call on everyone to continue to be vigilant partners of DoH in keeping the threat of COVID-19 at bay,” he added.
Meanwhile, there were a total of 85 confirmed COVID-19 cases among overseas Filipinos (OF) around the globe.
“Japan recorded the most OF cases with a total of 80-70 admitted, 10 discharged – followed by UAE and Hong Kong, with two cases each, and Singapore with one case,” said the health chief.
“COVID-19 continuously affects our kababayans overseas. The Philippine government remains at their service, and would devotedly extend our assistance wherever they are in the world,” he assured.
Duque said that the COVID-19 has already spread in 37 countries outside of China, “but has observed a decline in the number of additional cases globally.”
“WHO (World Health Organization) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus particularly noted that nine countries, including the Philippines, reported no new cases of COVID-19 for more than two weeks,” said Duque.
“While the DoH welcomes this positive development, we cannot be complacent. We must remain steadfast in watching out for the health of the Filipino people, particularly our repatriates in NCC,” he added. (Analou de Vera)