Korean Student in Bacolod Under Observation for Suspected MERS-CoV

Bacolod City (PNA) — A Korean student has been placed under observation at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) here for suspected Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERSCoV) case after manifesting symptoms of this viral disease.

Dr. Carmela Gensoli of the City Health Office said the Korean national was initially confined at a private hospital, but the patient was transferred Tuesday to the CLMMRH, a Department of Health (DOH) hospital.

Swab samples were taken from the patient for laboratory test at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Metro Manila.

The patient, who arrived in Bacolod last June 26, manifested MERS-CoV like symptoms like fever, coughing, and sore throat since June 29.

The apartment where the Korean national is staying is also under close monitoring, Gensoli said.

Dr. Julius Drilon, CLMMRH chief, said the hospital has been preparing for patients suspected to have MERSCoV.

He added that a four-year-old child was voluntarily checked in at the hospital by her parents also for suspected MERSCoV.

They family just arrived from the Middle East. However, the child was released after she was tested negative of the virus.(PNA) FFC/NLG/TDE