Laguna patient tests negative for MERS-CoV — DOH

This undated file electron microscope image made available by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases – Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows novel coronavirus particles, also known as the MERS virus, colorized in yellow. AP FILE PHOTO

SAN PEDRO CITY — The patient earlier taken to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), after showing signs of possible Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), tested negative for the disease, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

In a text message Wednesday evening, Glen Ramos, spokesperson of the DOH in Calabarzon, said they just got the test results back. 

“Lab results (showed) the suspected case of [MERS-CoV] (tested) negative. RITM is sending us an email for the copy of the result,” Ramos said.

The patient was initially seen at the Laguna Doctors Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. 

Suspicions that the person may have contacted the disease prompted the hospital on Wednesday morning to shut down its emergency room to disinfect the facility.

In its Facebook page, the hospital said it was just following medical protocols on contagious disease. 

MERS-CoV is a communicable disease that has symptoms similar to the common flu. /kga