Author:
Edrada Edna M.,Lopez Edmundo B.,Villarama Jose Benito,Salva Villarama Eumelia P.,Dagoc Bren F.,Smith Chris,Sayo Ana Ria,Verona Jeffrey A.,Trifalgar-Arches Jamie,Lazaro Jezreel,Balinas Ellen Grace M.,Telan Elizabeth Freda O.,Roy Lynsil,Galon Myvie,Florida Carl Hill N.,Ukawa Tatsuya,Villanueva Annavi Marie G.,Saito Nobuo,Nepomuceno Jean Raphael,Ariyoshi Koya,Carlos Celia,Nicolasora Amalea Dulcene,Solante Rontgene M.
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is responsible for more fatalities than the SARS coronavirus, despite being in the initial stage of a global pandemic. The first suspected case in the Philippines was investigated on January 22, 2020, and 633 suspected cases were reported as of March 1. We describe the clinical and epidemiological aspects of the first two confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, both admitted to the national infectious disease referral hospital in Manila.
Case presentation
Both patients were previously healthy Chinese nationals on vacation in the Philippines travelling as a couple during January 2020. Patient 1, a 39-year-old female, had symptoms of cough and sore throat and was admitted to San Lazaro Hospital in Manila on January 25. Physical examination was unremarkable. Influenza B, human coronavirus 229E, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were detected by PCR on initial nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal (NPS/OPS) swabs. On January 30, SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was reported to be detected by PCR on the initial swabs and she was identified as the first confirmed COVID-19 case in the Philippines. Her symptoms resolved, and she was discharged. Patient 2, a 44-year-old male, had symptoms of fever, cough, and chills. Influenza B and Streptococcus pneumoniae were detected by PCR on initial NPS/OPS swabs. He was treated for community-acquired pneumonia with intravenous antibiotics, but his condition deteriorated and he required intubation. On January 31, SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was reported to be detected by PCR on the initial swabs, and he was identified as the 2nd confirmed COVID-19 infection in the Philippines. On February 1, the patient’s condition deteriorated, and following a cardiac arrest, it was not possible to revive him. He was thus confirmed as the first COVID-19 death outside of China.
Conclusions
This case report highlights several important clinical and public health issues. Despite both patients being young adults with no significant past medical history, they had very different clinical courses, illustrating how COVID-19 can present with a wide spectrum of disease. As of March 1, there have been three confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines. Continued vigilance is required to identify new cases.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Infectious Diseases,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Reference14 articles.
1. Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, Li X, Yang B, Song J, et al. A novel coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl J Med. 2020; NEJMoa2001017. Available from: http://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2001017.
2. Wu JT, Leung K, Leung GM. Nowcasting and forecasting the potential domestic and international spread of the 2019-nCoV outbreak originating in Wuhan, China: a modelling study. Lancet. 2020;6736:20.
3. Republic of the Philippines Department of Health. 2019-NCOV CASE TRACKER. [cited 2020 Feb 6]. Available from: https://www.doh.gov.ph/node/19197.
4. Republic of the Philippines Department of Health. San Lazaro Hospital. 2020 [cited 2020 Feb 6]. Available from: http://slh.doh.gov.ph/.
5. Republic of the Philippines Department of Health. Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. [cited 2020 Feb 7]. Available from: http://ritm.gov.ph/.
Cited by
59 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献