IATF-EID to continue managing PUMs for COVID-19

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) will continue to report and manage Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs) for COVID-19.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles clarified that PUMs will retain their designation and will still be subject to reporting and management protocols.

This clarification follows the IATF-EID's approval of an updated classification system for patients screened for the virus.

The revised system categorizes patients with mild, severe, or critical symptoms awaiting test results as 'suspect' cases, and those with inconclusive results as 'probable' cases, while positive results will be labeled 'confirmed' cases.

Nograles' statement addresses concerns raised by Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian regarding the Department of Health's initial decision to exclude PUMs from the revised classification.

Mayor Gatchalian had expressed worries that excluding PUMs could lead to potential carriers being released into the community, potentially causing further contagion.

Valenzuela City had pledged to continue testing all its PUMs to ensure community safety.