Confirmatory tests on Filipina companion of foreigner positive with MERSCoV yield negative; 7 other companions still without symptoms – DOH

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) (Photo courtesy of Medical News Today)

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday the results of the tests conducted on a Filipina companion of the foreign national declared positive for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERSCoV) and confined at the negative pressure room of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, yielded negative.

“So far, all the tests conducted on her (the Filipino woman) were negative,” said DOH spokesperson Dr. Lyndon Lee-Suy.

He added that since the tests were negative, the Filipina will be transferred to the ordinary room of RITM.

Upon her confinement and during the observation period earlier, she was initially placed at the negative pressure room of RITM to ensure that control of the spread of the virus while giving supportive treatment was in place.

Dr. Lee-Suy said the woman will still be under observation until the 14-day incubation period is finished to be sure that she is totally safe from other possible symptoms of MERSCoV.

The Filipina was among the eight persons disclosed by the 36-year-old foreigner to have close contact with him or being his everyday companions during his stay here.

The seven other companions, who are all Filipinos, also have not displayed symptoms or signs of MERSCoV.

Meanwhile, the DOH spokesperson said that continuous tests are being conducted on the foreigner who has tested positive with MERSCoV.

He added that supportive treatment is continuously given to ensure his past recovery.

Since there is no exact treatment yet for MERSCoV, the treatment depends on the signs seen on the patient like fever, cough and other flu-like symptoms.

“Once the test yield negative for two times in an interval of 48 hours, that will mean he is MERSCoV-free,” the DOH spokesperson said.

At the same time, he explained that since the incubation period for the MERSCoV from the date of exposure is only 14 days, the contact-tracing for the passengers in the same flight taken by the foreigner will be limited to those whom he closely sat with in the plane.

Those who sat in front and in back rows of the positive MERSCoV patient as well as those in the opposite sides are the ones that are being traced to find if they are exhibiting signs of MERSCoV due to exposure.

The contact-tracing for the names of those who sat in the mentioned rows is done through the available sitting arrangements information.

The DOH confirmed on Monday morning that a foreigner who was referred by a private hospital to the DOH facility for symptoms of MERSCoV tested positive.

To ensure that control of spread of the infectious disease is in control, the DOH began the contact-tracing of those who have probable contact with him.

The foreigner is a traveler from a Middle east country where MERSCoV had originated and spread to other countries.