The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas has advised the public to keep themselves informed of the new strain of coronavirus.
Dr. Glenn Alonsabe, head of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the DOH-6, said it is important to be well-informed “to protect ourselves.”
The mysterious respiratory virus was traced by health officials to a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.
Early this month, the DOH ordered a strict check on travelers entering the Philippines.
“At least nine people are dead in China and more than 400 infected as the Wuhan coronavirus continues to spread throughout Asia and across the world,” a CNN report said.
Alonsabe also urged the everyone to always observe proper personal hygiene.
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the DOH confirmed that a five-year-old boy, who traveled from Wuhan in China to Cebu City, tested positive for coronavirus while in the country.
Last week, three Chinese tourists bound for Boracay Island were brought to Dr. Rafael Tumbukan Provincial Hospital in the province of Aklan after they showed symptoms of the mysterious Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-like illness.
Cornelio Cuachon Jr. of the Provincial Health Office, the three had mild cough, fever, and colds when they arrived at Kalibo International Airport on separate dates.
The three were all discharged from the hospital.
Also, a 24-year-old female flight attendant, who has a travel history in Wuhan City, voluntarily submitted herself to medical tests at the provincial hospital of Aklan. She was discharged on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
According to Alonsabe, their blood samples were sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for confirmatory tests.
To date, there is no confirmed case of a patient with the new coronavirus in Western Visayas.IMT
