The Department of Health in Central Visayas headquarters along Osmeña Boulevard. DOH – 7 said they have expanded their case definitions and protocols of PUIs and PUMs as the country is placed under State of Public Health Emergency. CDN Digital photo | Rosalie Abatayo
“According to our protocols, there are zero [PUIs]. But we went further on our own – with our infectious disease specialist. We went further and even identified all travelers from places where there are positive cases [and] who display symptoms of the disease. They are all considered as PUIs,” Bernadas said.
But data obtained by Cebu Daily News Digital from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of DOH – 7 showed there are still 132 PUIs and PUMs in the region. As of March 9, 2020, Resu data shows DOH – 7 is monitoring a total of 132 people. Of these 132, 13 individuals are classified as PUIs while 119 are PUMs.
Bernadas said the declaration will not only signal health authorities and local government officials to mobilize resources and logistics to combat COVID 19, but it will also pave way for the expansion of the case definition of PUIs and PUMs beyond the present guidelines.