DOH Says 80 Percent of COVID-19 Cases Are Mild
In a press briefing held on March 9, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said that most confirmed cases of COVID-19 around the world are mild cases.
“As much as 80 percent of conformed cases of COVID-19 are mild,” said the health secretary.
The Philippines currently has 41 patients under investigation (PUIs) for COVID-19 who are currently admitted at various hospitals.
Over the weekend, the DOH confirmed four more cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the Philippines to 10.
According to Duque, as of March 08, 2020, there are a total of 105,586 cases of COVID-19 in 101 countries, 53 of which have transmissions unrelated to China. This means that the virus is spreading through community transmissions worldwide.
Localized transmission can happen very quickly
Duque maintains that the Philippines is still under Code Red alert.
“The main triggers for entering (Code Red alert) is at least one documented case of localized transmission and will continue while there is a sustained human-to-human or community transmission,” said Duque.
“Moving from one localized transmission to sustained community transmission can happen very quickly, so both fall under the Code Red,” he added.
No Need to Go to the Hospital Immediately
The health secretary emphasized that people don’t need to go to the hospital or get tested at diagnostic labs immediately. According to the DOH, they should self-monitor initially.
“All others who have visited places frequented by confirmed cases of COVID-19 are not required to seek medical consultation and subject themselves to COVID-19 laboratory testing.
They are advised to self-monitor, and if with symptoms, consult health centers or rural health units or appropriate management and monitoring.
Level 2 and 3 Hospitals Warned Against Refusing Service to COVID-19 Cases
Duque warned against levels 2 and 3 hospitals who will refuse to provide care to patients suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19. Levels 2 and 3 hospitals are those with adequate facilities to handle highly infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
“All levels 2 and 3 hospitals are reminded to not refuse patients suspected or diagnosed with COVID-19. Refusal to provide care to such patients shall be considered a violation of the signed performance commitment and shall be dealt with by PhilHealth accordingly,” said Duque.
“Further, levels 2 and 3 hospitals must have a designated triage area in their facilities for screening suspected COVID-19 patients. They are also directed to attend to all patients suspected to have the COVID-19 and those confirmed to have COVID-19 with mild symptoms.”
