9 confined for flu-like symptoms in Cagayan

TUGUEGARAO, Cagayan, Philippines — The three individuals earlier monitored for novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) tested negative for nCoV and were discharged from the hospital yesterday.

However, nine more persons manifesting flu-like symptoms were admitted to the same hospital on Saturday. 

CVMC chief Glenn Mathew Baggao said two of those who were discharged were from Tuguegarao, who traveled to Macau and arrived from Hong Kong on Jan. 29.

The other was from the town of Enrile.

Baggao said five of those admitted to the CVMC on Saturday, including two children, were from Sanchez Mira.

One each came from the towns of Gattaran, Iguig, Sto. Niño and Tuao.

It was not indicated in the report if any of the patients have traveled abroad or have direct contact with anyone who arrived from countries with confirmed nCoV cases.

Meanwhile, in Ilocos Sur, a 26-year-old woman was confined at the isolation room of the Ilocos Sur Provincial Hospital-Gabriela Silang on Thursday after she manifested flu-like symptoms.

Provincial health officer Carmeliza Singson said the woman did not travel outside the country, but she had contact with a relative who arrived from Hong Kong on Jan. 29.

The other members of the woman’s household were advised to quarantine themselves at home for two weeks.

In Zambales, a resident from the town of Iba is being monitored for nCoV at the President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital (PRMMH).

The patient was identified as a PUI (person under investigation) by the Department of Health.

The PUI went on a vacation in Dumaguete City and was on the same flight as the Chinese couple who tested positive for nCoV, according to Zambales health officer Maria Olivia Ogalesco.

The PRMMH has taken specimen samples from the patient.

 The samples were sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for confirmatory tests. – With Bebot Sison Jr.