By: Jhoemz Vercide |

The first case of 2019 novel coronavirus has now confirmed in the Philippines.

DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said at a press conference said that a 38-year-old woman from Wuhan, China arrived in the Philippines via Hongkong on January 21.

On January 25, the woman was admitted to one of the country’s government hospitals after experiencing a mild cough.

The woman is currently asymptomatic, which means she had no fever and no other symptoms suggesting illness according to Duque.

A total of 29 patients under investigation (PUIs) for suspected novel coronavirus has been recorded by the Department of Health:

18 in Metro Manila
4 in Central Visayas
3 in Western Visayas
1 in MIMAROPA
1 in Eastern Visayas
1 in Northern Mindanao
1 in Davao.

23 PUIs are currently admitted and 5 have been discharged but are still under strict monitoring. DOH also reported one PUI mortality.