New COVID-19 cases near 4,500; DOH announces new patient classification

April 11, 2020

More than 200 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases were reported by the Department of Health (DOH) Saturday to bring the total to 4,428.

DOH said 233 new cases were reported.

Twenty-six new COVID-19 fatalities were announced, bringing the totalto 247.

Seventeen patients recovered as total recoveries have reached to 157.

The DOH also announced a new classification system for COVID-19 patients, removing the old classifications of persons under investigation (PUIs) and persons under monitoring (PUMs).

"The new classification aims to set a uniformed reporting system that will result to more focused steps versus COVID-19," said the DOH.

PUMs will no longer be considered COVID-19 patients while for PUIs, they will be "suspect" or "probable" cases.

"Suspect cases" are those with fever, cough, difficulty in breathing and is among those aged 60 and above, have pre-existing medical conditions, pregnant, and health worker.

Also considered "suspect cases" are those with influenza-like illness (fever, cough, sore throat),  a travel history to countries with local COVID-19 transmission, or has had close contact with confirmed or probable COVID-19 patients.

The DOH said "suspect cases" are those who suddenly developed lung ailments with severe symptoms needing hospitalization.

 "probable cases" are all suspect cases and have pending test results, whose tests were done in unofficial laboratories, or those who have yet to undergo laboratory tests.

"Confirmed cases" are those whose laboratory (RT-PCR) test results are positive for COVID-19. DMS