MANILA, Philippines — A 67-year-old patient at the Diliman Doctors Hospital (DDH) has tested positive for the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In an advisory posted Sunday night, the Diliman Doctors Hospital confirmed that the male patient was infected by COVID-19.
He was admitted to the hospital last March 11 with a history of fever, cough, and shortness of breath, the DDH said.
An extensive contact tracing is now being conducted for individuals who were significantly exposed to the patient prior to his admission.
The Quezon City-based hospital likewise assured that they are prepared to handle COVID-19 cases.
“Our facility is properly equipped to handle such cases following the latest protocols and guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH). Our Infection Prevention and Control Committee has been in constant coordination with the management, health workers and other personnel in the proper handling of this patient,” the hospital said.
“We urge the public to become vigilant in this time of health crisis and proactive in adhering to infection control protocols like hand hygiene, social distancing, and cough etiquette,” it added.
It was still unclear if the DDH patient was among the 140 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country as reported by the DOH on Sunday afternoon.
Of the total cases, 12 have already died of the virus in the country.
The first cases of COVID-19 emerged in the Chinese province of Hubei in late 2019.
The virus causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people but experts earlier said that older adults with preexisting health conditions were more vulnerable to the coronavirus, particularly those aged over 60 years old.
To prevent infection, authorities are urging people to practice regular hand washing, cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and avoid close contact with those who show respiratory symptoms.
The World Health Organization declared the disease as a global pandemic.