MANILA, Philippines –  Ten more people have been admitted to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) after they manifested symptoms of the deadly MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin said on Friday, February 13.

The 10 – health personnel of the Evangelista Medical Specialty Hospital in San Pedro, Laguna – are described as “close contacts” of the 32-year-old Filipina nurse who tested positive for MERS-CoV currently confined at the RITM.

The nurse’s husband, mother-in-law, and helper were earlier admitted to the RITM with her.

Except for the nurse, the rest – including the 10 other close contacts – tested negative for MERS-CoV during the first round of tests using nose and throat swab samples.

But because the husband and 10 other close contacts are showing symptoms, they will go through another round of tests using sputum and rectal swab samples.

As for the mother-in-law and the helper, Garin said in a news briefing with other health authorities that they will remain at RITM even after testing negative. 

“Wala silang sintomas, pero dahil kasama sila palagi nung pasyente, nung index case, minarapat nating dun muna sa RITM until all the results will show negative,” she explained. 

(They don’t have symptoms, but since they’re always with the patient, the index case, we deemed it proper to to let them stay at RITM until all the results will show negative.) 

Health authorities were quick to note that showing symptoms does not mean the patient has MERS-CoV, especially since flu season has started.

Asthma and pneumonia are also possible diagnosis, Garin said.

After the nurse arrived in Manila from Saudi Arabia on February 1, she went through 3 initial tests for MERS -CoV, all with positive results. (READ: Filipina nurse from Saudi tests positive for MERS-CoV)

Already 4 to 5 weeks into her pregnancy, the nurse has a weaker immune system to fight MERS or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, a highly fatal, influenza-like illness characterized by fever, cough, and often with diarrhea. (READ: FAST FACTS: The MERS Coronavirus)

As of February 5, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 971 laboratory-confirmed cases of infections, 356 of which resulted in death, worldwide.

‘Don’t panic’

The Department of Health (DOH) has already located 92 of the 220 passengers of the Saudia flight 860 that the nurse took on February 1. All of them agreed to be tested.

At least 43 other close contacts from the San Pedro hospital tested negative for MERS-CoV.

Dr Cecilia Evangelista of the Evangelista Medical Specialty Hospital said they placed the nurse under strict isolation from February 2 until she was transferred to RITM on February 10.

“Although we have initiated disinfection of the hospital, the management has decided to voluntarily submit the hospital to a thorough disinfection by the Department of Health and the World Health Organization para sa ikapapanatag ng lahat (so that everybody will have peace of mind),” she added.

Garin said disinfection is ongoing, and the hospital will be closed for 14 days.

San Pedro Mayor Lourdes Cataquiz also urged residents not to sow panic and spread false information about the virus. 

For instance, there were rumors that the Pacita Elementary School in San Pedro suspended classes on Thursday, February 12, but Cataquiz clarified it has always been business as usual in the city.

“Dahil sa maling impormasyon, nangamba lang ang ilang magulang at hindi pinapasok ang kanilang mga anak (Because of misinformation, some parents worried and decided not to send their children to school that day),” she explained. 

The city health office will soon release a formal advisory about MERS-CoV to correct any misinformation spreading among barangays. Cataquiz also discouraged residents from wearing face masks as it may cause more panic.

WHO Representative for the Philippines Julie Hall, Garin, and other officials from the DOH central office went to San Pedro on Friday to allay the fears of residents and inform them that MERS-CoV does not easily spread from one person to the next without close contact.

More hospitals can now test for MERS-CoV aside from RITM: San Lazaro Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, Southern Philippines Medical Center, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, and Baguio General Hospital. – Rappler.com