2019-nCoV

Basics, updates, DOH response, and prevention

Dr. Ian Gonzales

Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases (EREID) Program
Head, Infectious Diseases Cluster
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, with 7
causing respiratory illness in humans ranging from the
common cold to more serious infections such as MERS-CoV
and SARS-CoV.

2019-nCoV was discovered on 7 Jan 2020 in Wuhan

City, Hubei Province, China. Likely zoonotic, there is no
vaccine or specific treatment available.
 Outline
• National Update
• WHO Situation Report
• ASEAN BioDiaspora Risk Assessment
• Regional Preparedness
NATIONAL UPDATE AS OF 2 FEB 2020
 DOH Central Office Updates
• 2 CONFIRMED CASES
– 38/F/Chinese national from Wuhan/Still admitted
– 44/M/Chinese national from Wuhan/Died
– Both are imported cases. No evidence local
transmission.
• 24 other previously reported PUI tested negative,
including the previously reported PUI death who
had HIV
 DOH Central Office Updates
• Temporary travel ban for the whole of China
– All foreigners arriving from mainland, Hong Kong, and
Macau, including those who visited these areas in the past
14 days
– Filipino citizens and those who hold permanent resident
visa issued by the Philippine government may enter the
country but will undergo a 14-day quarantine
– All Filipinos bound for China
 DOH Central Office Updates
• RITM already has nCoV rtPCR. No need to
send specimens to Australia.
WHO SITREP AS OF 1 FEB 2020
 WHO SitRep as of 1 Feb 2020
• PHEIC declared

• Globally: • China:
– 11953 confirmed – 11821 confirmed
• Outside China: – 259 deaths (2% case fatality rate)
– 132 confirmed – 33 out of 34 provinces have cases
– 23 countries
ASEAN BIODIASPORA
RISK ASSESSMENT AS OF 27 JAN 2020
 Human-to-human Transmission
• In Guangdong, 2 patients were infected by family
members from Wuhan.
• 15 health workers were infected.
• Wuhan seafood market was closed since 1 January.
• Limited data to support asymptomatic transmission.
• Transmission chain up to 4 people.
• R0 = 1.5-2.5
REGIONAL PREPAREDNESS
 Door 2 – Border Screening
• Thermal scanning
• Health declaration card
• Decision tool
Door 3 – Disease Surveillance
• All hospitals and health
centers have trained
Disease Surveillance
Officers (DSO)
• Cities and Provinces have
Epidemiology and
Surveillance Units (C/PESU)
 Door 4 – Surge Capacity
• DC 2020-0023 Directive
to attend to all
suspected nCoV
patients for level 2 and
3 hospitals
• Deployment of Field
Hospitals for surge
capacity
 Coordination
• Convened EREID Inter-Agency Task Force
• RDRRMC full council meeting – February 10
• Coordinating with DepEd regarding proper
advisory to schools in the use of masks and other
preventive measures
• nCoV orientation and IPC review for public and
private hospitals
 Guidelines and Advisories
• CHDNM nCoV e-library: bit.ly/chdnmncov
– Treatment
– Infection prevention and control
• For dissemination of regional guidelines on
referral system, flu fast lanes
 Risk Communication
• Translated IEC materials
• Press conference on Feb. 4
• Regular media interviews
• nCoV fora
– XU – Feb. 1
– Liceo – Feb. 3
– Phil. Air Force – Feb. 4
 Infection Control Measures
• Droplet, contact, or fomite
transmission. Not airborne.
• WHO: No evidence on a
surgical mask’s usefulness to
protect non-sick persons.
Masks are recommended for
those with respiratory
symptoms.
 2019-nCoV Key Messages
• Handwashing regularly
• Avoid crowds and wild animals
• Never cough without a handkerchief or tissue
• Do wear a mask only if sick or in health care settings
• Seek early consultation