The Department of Health (DOH) is tracing those who came into contact with the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) patient after arriving in the country.
The 38-year-old Chinese woman arrived in the country on January 21 in Manila from Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak.
The patient reportedly visited the cities of Cebu and Dumaguete before she was admitted to San Lazaro Hospital on January 25.
DOH is now looking at places and establishments where the patient went through.
In an interview with GMA News, Dr. Ferchito Avelino, officer-in-charge-director of Epidemiology Bureau, explained the objective of the contact tracing is to inform the individuals who came in contact with the patient on what to do in the next fourteen days.
“Ang contact tracing ay mahalaga para malaman natin at maobserbahan natin ‘yung mga taong maaaring nakahalubilo ng pasyente at agad-agad mabigyan ng impormasyon at kung kinakailangan ng serbisyong pangkalusugan na kakailanganin nila kung sila man ay magkasakit,” he stressed.
Avelino added they are trying to trace the passengers who were seated around the coronavirus patient particularly the four seats in the front, at the back and on both sides.
He also added they already informed the crew of the flight and they have sent epidemiologists in Dumaguete and Cebu.
Once identified, the persons with whom the patient came into contact will have to undergo mandatory quarantine to observe if they manifest any signs or symptoms of respiratory illness.
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