Goodbye PUMs: DOH Simplifies Classification of COVID-19 Cases

The Department of Health (DOH) has simplified its classifications of locally recorded cases of COVID-19. 

Earlier today, the agency shared an inforgraphic over social media showing the new classifications. Instead of ‘Persons Under Monitoring’ (PUM), ‘Persons Under Investigation’ (PUI), and ‘Positive,’ possible and confirmed cases of COVID-19 will now be classified as ‘Suspect,’ ‘Probable,’ and ‘Confirmed.’ 

PUIs have been 'reclassified and divided into two categories: Suspect and Probable—the former refers to PUIs who have yet to be tested, while the latter refers to PUIs who have been tested but are still awaiting results. People who have tested positive for COVID-19, meanwhile, will be referred to as Confirmed cases. PUMs have been removed from DOH classifications entirely. 

Individuals will be classified as Suspect under the following conditions: 

1) Suspect case A 

- Suffering from an influenza-like illness with a fever, and cough or sore throat 

- Resides in or visited an area with confirmed COVID-19 local transmission over the past 14 days 

- Came into close contact with individuals classified as Confirmed or Probable over the past 14 days 

2) Suspect case B 

- Suffering from a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing 

- Senior citizen, possibly pregnant, a health worker, or suffering from other health issues 

3) Supect case C 

- Individuals who suddenly experience serious respiratory symptoms of unkown origin are require hospitalization 

Check out the DOH’s official announcement in the Facebook post below: 

As of 4 p.m. today, the Philippines has a total of 4,428 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 247 recorded deaths, and 157 recoveries.