Passengers wearing face masks are seen on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, with around 3600 people quarantined onboard due to fears of the COVID-19 coronavirus, at the Daikaku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama port on February 12, 2020. (Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Ten Filipinos repatriated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan and are now quarantined at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac have tested negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), while four are awaiting test results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.
Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) for public health services, said the 14 Filipinos showed symptoms of the disease, such as fever, cough, and sore throat.
“Among the 14 PUIs (patients under investigation), 10 tested negative for COVID-19 while 4 are with pending laboratory results. The PUIs are still admitted at the referral facility,” she said in a media briefing.
A total of 445 Filipinos were brought home from the cruise ship on February 25.
“We are more than ready to cater to the needs of our kababayans should they test positive for COVID-19. We are also geared up for the possibility of local transmission,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a statement read by Vergeire.
“The welfare and safety of our health workers are our topmost priority, and as such we have adequately trained and equipped them to carefully handle positive cases should they arise,” he added.