VIRUS-FREE. Department of Health (DOH) Ilocos region medical officer IV Dr. Ruel Bobis (right) gives update on the status of the 2019 novel coronavirus in the Ilocos region during the question hour of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan with board member Jeremy Rosario (left) on Monday (Feb. 10, 2020). Bobis said there are no confirmed cases yet of 2019-nCoV in the province of Pangasinan. (Photo by Jerick Pasiliao)
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- An official from the Department of Health (DOH) Ilocos regional office and the Provincial Health Office (PHO) has assured that Pangasinan is still free of the 2019 novel coronavirus-acute respiratory disease (nCoV-ARD).
“Pangasinan has no confirmed cases of the 2019-nCoV. There are no reported patients under investigation (PUIs)," said Dr. Ruel Bobis, DOH-1 medical officer IV, during the question hour of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan here on Monday.
But in the Ilocos region, Bobis said three Chinese nationals are considered PUIs and are currently admitted at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in La Union province.
"The public should stay calm because PUIs are not considered positive for 2019-nCoV. We are just investigating and getting samples from them for verification," he said.
Bobis urged everyone to observe proper hand hygiene and coughing etiquette, avoiding symptomatic individuals and farm animals, drinking water regularly, and cooking food thoroughly.
"With proper preparation, we can combat nCoV," he said.
Bobis said that in Pangasinan, the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) located at Dagupan City is equipped to treat patients infected with the 2019-nCoV.
"R1MC is equipped with nine beds to cater PUIs, two isolation rooms and one isolation room with negative pressure," he added.
PHO chief Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa De Guzman said they already advised local chief executives in the province to immediately coordinate with R1MC in case they monitor individuals who have flu-like symptoms.
"We advised mayors especially from the coastal municipalities to call to the R1MC if there are reported persons manifesting symptoms of 2019-nCoV to be fetched immediately and be admitted," she said.
Based on the 2019-nCoV tracker of the DOH as of noon of Feb. 10, there are 261 PUIs admitted all over the country. (PNA)
