Pinay Domestic Helper from Jordan Clears MERS-CoV Test
The domestic helper from Jordan who was initially suspected of having the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) has tested negative for the disease, the Department of Health said on Tuesday.
At a press conference, DOH spokesperon Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy said the domestic helper, who showed symptoms of MERS-CoV, which included high fever, coughs, difficulty in breathing and loose bowel movement, has been cleared from the deadly virus last Sunday.
“Clear na po iyon last Sunday, hindi siya nagfi-fit ng investigation natin kung MERS-CoV o hindi,” he explained.
The domestic helper was confined at a hospital in Cotabato City on Feb. 12.
The DOH is set to check the status of a Cebu Pacific Air flight attendant who just came from Saudi Arabia, and has been confined at an isolation room in a private hospital in General Santos City.
“We have no info on that, but we will check,” Suy said, when asked for updates on the flight attendant’s situation.
In a statement, Cebu Pacific Air confirmed that one of its cabin crew has showed flu-like symptoms and is now undergoing medical observation.
Citing the city health office, a report on “24 Oras” on Monday said the condition of the flight attendant has since improved and there is no confirmation yet that the patient has MERS-CoV.
Meanwhile, Suy urged Filipinos abroad, specifically those in the Middle East, to have themselves checked once they show symptoms of the deady virus.