CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Two patients under investigation (PUIs) in Central Luzon tested negative for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (nCov ARD).
This was confirmed by Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital (JBLMGH) Chief Monserrat Chichioco during a press conference.
“Of the 10 PUIs in Central Luzon as of February 2, 2020, six were admitted in our facility. Two are from Pampanga, two are from Bulacan, one is a Taiwanese, and the other one is a British national,” Chichioco said.
In addition, she said that they are still awaiting the results of the remaining four PUIs admitted in the hospital from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.
“Despite having six cases in our facility, we want to assure the public that all these PUIs are in stable condition, except for one who has a co-morbid disease,” the hospital chief said.
Chichioco also assured the public that there is no cause for alarm because the hospital has dedicated two isolation buildings—one for PUIs, and one for those who will be tested positive for the nCoV ARD in case.
Aside from that, the hospital, she said, has six critical isolation room, as well as case management protocols in place.
“We have trained personnel who are capable of managing the cases. We are also equipped with the personal protective equipment. We also have our protocol that all patients who are admitted at the emergency room, and who have coughs and colds, will be given surgical masks, to avoid transmission of any virus,” she said.
Meanwhile, Department of Health (DOH) Central Luzon Center for Health Development (CL-CHD) Communicable Diseases Cluster Head Maria Eloisa Vidar reiterated that DOH only recommends the use of surgical masks among those who are sick, who are taking care of the sick, are recovering from illness, and those who cannot avoid crowded places.
“Well and healthy individuals are not advised to wear masks. In case an individual opt to wear one, surgical mask is enough and is more appropriate than the N95 mask,” she said.
For her part, DOH CL-CHD Local Health Support Division Chief Lailani Mangulabnan said that the best way to avoid contracting the disease is to boost one’s immune system through halthy lifestyle and stress management.
“The public should always practice proper hand hygiene and coughing etiquette, including the no spitting anywhere. Cooking food thoroughly, avoiding crowded places, and avoiding people with signs and symptoms of nCoV ARD should always be observed,” Mangulabnan said.
She also appealed to the public to stay calm, be responsible, refrain from sharing unverified information on the disease to avoid scare or panic.
As of February 3, 15 PUIs were reported by the DOH in Central Luzon.