DOH probes contacts of first COVID-19 cases in Dumaguete

The Department of Health (DOH) deployed an epidemiological team to Dumaguete City to trace contacts of the Philippines' first confirmed novel coronavirus cases, a Chinese couple from Wuhan.

Eight out of over 70 persons traced for having been in contact with the Chinese couple are exhibiting coughs and colds, and are now considered persons under investigation (PUIs).

Authorities are also tracing persons the couple came in contact with in Manila, as well as their fellow passengers on flights from Hong Kong to Cebu, Cebu to Dumaguete, and Dumaguete to Manila.

The DOH expanded its case definition to include persons who recently traveled from China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan and exhibit symptoms, considering them as persons under investigation.

As of Monday afternoon, there are 80 PUIs nationwide; two tested positive for the novel coronavirus (the Chinese couple), 30 tested negative, and 48 are awaiting results.

Sixty-seven PUIs are currently admitted in hospitals across the country.