Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. (Screengrab from DOH Facebook live video)
MANILA — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday reported that three male repatriates from the M/V Diamond Princess cruise ship are now categorized as patients under investigation (PUIs) after showing signs and symptoms of respiratory illness on Thursday.
Duque said one of the repatriates, aged 39, has cough while the two others, aged 34 and 27, both complained of throat discomfort.
"All are afebrile, and two have tested negative. Additionally, DOH has just received information that there are two more repatriates who were brought to a referral health facility because of sore throat. Their specimens were collected and sent for testing at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine," Duque told a press briefing at the Department of Health (DOH) main office in Manila.
He added the PUIs were transferred to a referral hospital for isolation and appropriate medical management.
Citing that the referral hospitals are well-equipped and prepared to handle coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases, Duque said there is no need to set up an isolation area for symptomatic repatriates within the Athlete's Village in the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
"There has been no recommendation to that effect because when we have set up our temporary quarantine facility, the Bureau of Quarantine officials are the ones who helped in the setting up of the quarantine facility. What would we need it for (when) we can bring them straight to the isolation room of our referral health facilities," he said.
Duque also assured the public that the DOH's response team at the quarantine facility "is being extra cautious to prevent further health risks" while waiting for other test results.
The Filipino crew of the cruise ship docked in Yokohama, Japan was repatriated to the country through two chartered flights on Tuesday. (PNA)
