The number of persons under investigation (PUI) for the new coronavirus infection in Western Visayas increased to eight, latest data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed.

Of the total PUIs who are mostly Chinese nationals, six are in Aklan and two in Iloilo City.

Three of them are admitted in hospitals while five have been discharged.

According to the DOH-6, four of the discharged patients tested negative for the novel coronavirus (nCoV).

“There are four pending confirmatory testing results that were sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM),” Dr. Marlyn Convocar, DOH-6 director, said in a press conference on Monday, Feb. 3.

She stressed that the region remained free from the deadly coronavirus.

Among those who yielded negative for nCoV is the three-year-old Chinese child who underwent medical examination at Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City.

On Monday, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson announced that there are two persons, confined in Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Hospital in Bacolod City, being monitored for possible nCoV.

A foreign national and a Filipina had history of travel to Taiwan and Hong Kong, respectively. The two countries have confirmed cases of nCoV.

On Sunday, Feb. 2 the Provincial Health Office of Capiz reported one PUI.

“The PUI is a 51-year-old male resident of one of the municipalities of Capiz. Currently, he is under quarantine in a hospital in Roxas City and is in good condition,” it said in an official statement.

The man, who had a history of travel to Hong Kong and Macau, manifested symptoms of the novel coronavirus (nCoV) upon arrival in Capiz.

“Necessary specimen were successfully collected and to be sent immediately to the RITM in Manila for laboratory confirmation,” the PHO said.

The PHO advised Capizenos to remain calm but vigilant against the threat of nCoV.

It also urged those with history of travel from countries affected by nCoV to coordinate with their respective local health offices and undergo home quarantine for fourteen days from the arrival in the country.

All in all, there are already 80 PUIs nationwide. Two tested positive for nCoV, 48 have pending results and 30 yielded negative.IMT