DOH awaits more results for suspected coronavirus case in Tacloban

The Department of Health (DOH) is awaiting further test results for a 36-year-old American citizen in Tacloban City who was initially suspected of having the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Although initial tests from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) were negative, the DOH will run more tests for any possible strain of coronavirus.

The patient, who has a travel history from Wuhan City, China, arrived in Tacloban on January 17 and has been isolated since January 23.

He is currently in good condition with normal vital signs and no longer displaying symptoms such as cough and fever.

The DOH confirmed on Friday that the patient will be discharged once subsequent negative laboratory results are obtained and cleared by his attending physician.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III confirmed the first case of 2019-nCoV in the Philippines, a 38-year-old Chinese female.