Eight contacts of Chinese couple positive for NCoV considered persons under investigation: DOH

February 3, 2020

  Eight individuals considered as "close contacts" of the Chinese couple, who tested positive for the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), are considered as persons under investigation (PUIs) by the Department of Health (DOH).

In a press conference Monday, DOH Epidemiology Bureau (EB) Director Ferchito Avelino said these eight were pinpointed  out of the 74 close contacts.  

"They are four hotel staff and four passengers and their common manifestation are fever and cough," said Avelino. 

The 66 have been advised to undergo "home quarantine" for 14 days. 

"It is important, therefore, that close contacts should come forward once they have develop any manifestation of illness, seek medical attention/care, and inform health provider of their travel and or exposure," said Avelino.

As to the case of the 44-year-old Chinese male, Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said his first test for 2019-nCoV showed a positive result. 

"He has not been tested previously. This is only from the first test done to him by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM)," said Domingo. 

Asked why he wasn't tested for 2019-nCoV with the 38-year-old Chinese female, Domingo said they looked at the women's case first. DMS