An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Tigbauan town, Iloilo province is being monitored for possible novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection.
The OFW remains confined at the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) in Mandurriao district, Iloilo City.
WVMC is one of the referral hospitals in the region for people suspected of being infected with nCoV.
The OFW from Singapore arrived in Tigbauan on Jan. 27 and was admitted to WVMC the following day after experiencing fever.
Singapore is among the countries affected by the new coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China.
The Department of Education (DepEd-6) is also monitoring the OFW’s mother who is a teacher.
Dr. Melchor Kim Kwan, DepEd-6 medical officer, said samples from the OFW were already sent yo the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila for confirmation.
The education department learned that aside from his/her mother, the patient also had close contact with some other teachers.
Meanwhile, Tigbauan Acting Mayor Nene Teruel advised his constituents not to panic.
He said there is nothing to be scared of. “As of today Feb 7, 2020, there is no confirmed case of nCoV digya sa aton banwa.”
“LGU Tigbauan and our Rural Health Unit assure everyone that all necessary steps have been taken to monitor our health situation,” Teruel said.
“We will issue public health advisory regularly as needed,” he added.
Teruel advised the public “to follow DOH guidelines on personal hygiene and community sanitation for our own protection.”IMT
