1st PH nCoV case still stable, tests negative for the virus—DOH

MANILA, Philippines —The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said the Philippines’ first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection is now recovering and has even tested negative for the virus.

“The patient is still stable, (and shows) no symptoms. Our reports indicate that the last test was done on Feb. 6, was negative already,” DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo said in a press briefing.

However, Domingo noted that the health department needs two consecutive negative test results before they can discharge the patient.

The first nCoV patient in the Philippines, a 38-year-old Chinese woman arrived in the country from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the outbreak. The country’s second confirmed case, the first patient’s partner, died on Feb. 1, the first nCoV death outside China.

The third case, meanwhile, was a 60-year-old Chinese woman who arrived in Cebu City from Wuhan via Hong Kong on Jan. 20.

As of posting time, the new coronavirus strain has so far killed over 600 people, mostly in China, and infected over 30,000 others in several countries.

In the Philippines, the DOH is currently monitoring 215 patients for suspected novel coronavirus infection.

Edited by MUF