Capiz is nCoV-ARD-free, health office says

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – “No confirmed yet of suspected 2019-novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (nCoV-ARD) in the province of Capiz”.

This was the official statement of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) following reports circulating on social media that the first person under investigation (PUI) is positive of the disease.

Dr. Samuel Delfin, provincial health officer, said the PUI is still under hospital quarantine and is in good condition.

In an official statement released Tuesday, the PHO said that specimen from the PUI was already sent Monday to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Alabang, Muntinlupa City for confirmation.

The release of official result is expected between 48 to 72 hours upon receipt of specimen.

Meanwhile, Capiz Governor Esteban Evan Contreras advised the public to refrain from posting, sending and sharing unverified information or reports and fake news through short message service (SMS) and social media sites.

Contreras called a press conference Tuesday morning to clarify the report on the 51-year-old PUI who traveled to Hong Kong and Macao on January 25 to 29, 2020.

The PUI manifested coughs and sought medical consultations upon arrival in Capiz.