THREAD: The Department of Health holds a media briefing on the novel coronavirus. bit.ly/316JR0N 
DOH: All necessary measures are being taken to contain the virus.
DOH: The woman arrived in PH from Wuhan, China via Hong Kong last January 21.
DOH: [The patient] is currently asymptomatic, meaning she has no fever, no signs of illness.
DOH: The woman was admitted in a government hospital after experiencing mild cough on January 25.
DOH says infected woman has no other signs and symptoms suggesting she had the novel coronavirus at this point.
DOH: We were able to detect the first case because of our strong surveillance system.
DOH: We are working closely with the hospital where she was admitted.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque: The task force will convene in a high-level meeting tomorrow to discuss the first confirmed case and developments arising from this event.
Duque: Bureau of Quarantine remains on high alert for stricter border surveillance.
Duque: DOH health facilities are equipped and ready to handle cases of the novel coronavirus.
DOH: 23 PUIs (persons under investigation) are currently admitted and five have been discharged but are under strict monitoring.
Duque: 29 persons are under investigation for the novel coronavirus. 18 of them are in Metro Manila.
Duque: I urge the public to stay calm and remain vigilant at all times.
DOH says they have already asked for the flight details of the Chinese woman who tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the places they have been to for contact tracing.
DOH: We requested for the flight details and carriers and saan pumunta after we have gathered info from patients.
DOH: We also coordinated with Region 7. We are looking at the places they've been to in Cebu and Dumaguete.
WHO: 6,065 cases with 132 deaths reported to WHO so far, but these figures are not yet updated.
DOH: Then we'll do contact tracing for the planes -- we need to identify passengers in the front, at the back and at both sides and contact them and advise them accordingly.
DOH: We will also advise establishment owners to inform the employees that have been in contact with the patient for mandatory quarantine.
WHO country representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe says 15 other countries apart from China have confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus.
WHO: We will be looking at whether this current situation and the evidence and knowledge that has been gained since the last meeting, now constitutes as evidence to translate this event as a 'public health emergency of international concern.'
WHO: The aim of the declaration is to prevent the further spread of this disease and control it as early as possible.
WHO: If WHO decides to classify this as a 'public health emergency of international concern', it will then mean we would work with member states to actively stop the transmission of this virus.
WHO: That may include restrictions that are agreed with member states to facilitate the process.
DOH says restrictions on travelers from China may expand, depending on the WHO's recommendations.
DOH: I will strongly recommend to the task force a temporary restriction of travelers from the entire province of Hubei, China. But I believe that can still change-- it can still expand.
Duque said on Wednesday that authorities are not keen on banning travelers from China to enter PH. bit.ly/2tSiYln
Duque: It appears that the virus will be difficult to activate in a dry atmosphere.
Duque: Drink a lot of water, make sure your throat is moist so the virus can't attach to it and be absorbed by your body.
Duque: For zinc supply, put malunggay in your food.
Duque gives more tips to the public: Put malunggay in your soup and food stock, avoid crowded places as much as possible, wear surgical masks to help prevent whatever virus you have.
Duque suggests the following precautionary measures:
- Eat food rich in vitamins A, C, E and mineral zinc.
- Drink lots of fruit juices
- Put malunggay in your soup or other food
- Eat food rich in vitamins A, C, E and mineral zinc.
- Drink lots of fruit juices
- Put malunggay in your soup or other food
Duque suggests the following precautionary measures:
- Avoid crowded places
- If you're feeling any of the symptoms, wear a surgical mask to prevent the spread of the virus
- Avoid crowded places
- If you're feeling any of the symptoms, wear a surgical mask to prevent the spread of the virus
DOH says the patient is confined in a government-run hospital in Manila
