The Department of Health (DOH-6) has advised the public to remain vigilant despite the negative test results of samples taken from patients under investigation (PUIs) in Western Visayas.

“Let us continue to be vigilant against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),” said Dr. Marlyn Convocar, DOH-6 director.

Based on the Feb. 14 report released by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-6), all the 33 PUIs recorded by the DOH-6 tested negative for COVID-19.

“They were already discharged from their respective hospitals,” Convocar said.

The health department also reminded everyone to always observe proper hygiene and cough etiquette to prevent the spread of the deadly disease, which originated in Wuhan, China.

On Monday, Feb. 17, the DOH-6 recorded four new PUIs.

Convocar said samples had already been taken from the patients and sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila for confirmatory testing.IMT