New classification of Covid-19 patients based on int’l system

In its information bulletin on Saturday, the DOH explained that the terms “persons under monitoring” and “patients under investigation” will be replaced with the terms “suspect,” “probable” and “confirmed”. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – To provide a uniformed reporting and a more focused approach in preventing the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Department of Health (DOH) has provided a new classification of the patients infected by the disease in the country.

In its information bulletin on Saturday, the DOH explained that the terms “persons under monitoring” and “patients under investigation” will be replaced with the terms “suspect,” “probable” and “confirmed”.

“This new classification is based on the international system and also after the recommendation of the World Health Organization. We aligned our system to the system used by other countries to match our case reporting with the rest of the world and the new classification will expand the health care services instead of limiting it,” DOH Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said in Filipino in a virtual presser on Sunday.

According to the DOH, a person may be considered a suspect case upon three conditions.

The first condition includes influenza-like illness — a fever of 38 degrees Celsius, cough, and sore throat; travel to or living in a place where there is local transmission of Covid-19 about 14 days before the symptoms surfaced; and close contact with a confirmed or probable case of Covid-19 about 14 days before the symptoms surfaced.

The second condition includes those who have fever, cough or difficulty in breathing; persons 60 years old and above; women with high-risk pregnancy; health workers; and those who have co-morbidities.

The third condition includes those who had sudden lung problem with severe symptoms with unknown cause and need to be hospitalized.

Meanwhile, a suspect patient with no test result yet or undergo testing in an unofficial laboratory for RT-PCR test may be considered a probable case.

Moreover, a person is considered a confirmed case if his or her RT-PCR test showed a positive result for Covid-19.

Earlier, the DOH advised people living in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to stay at home, practice physical distancing, wash hands properly and regularly and observe proper cough etiquette at all times to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“Kung may bahagyang sintomas at naninirahan sa isang lugar na naka-ECQ o nagpunta sa isang lugar na naka-ECQ, mangyaring manatili lamang sa bahay at huwag lalapit sa mga kasama sa bahay sa loob ng 14 na araw upang i-monitor ang iyong kondisyon (If you have symptoms and you live in or went to areas under ECQ, stay at home and isolate yourself from other family members for 14 days to monitor your condition), the DOH said.

It added that the respective Barangay Health Emergency Response Team may be contacted in the event of more serious symptoms, difficulty in breathing and feeling of heaviness on the chest for guidance and referral to the nearest health facility for Covid-19 patients.