DOH: 3 suspected MERS-CoV cases negative

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health announced on Tuesday that the three persons who went under observation tested negative for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

DOH spokesperson Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy said in a televised press conference that there is only one confirmed case of the disease in the country—a Filipino nurse who flew in from Saudi Arabia earlier this month.

The three individuals were among those who had close contact with the nurse who tested positive for MERS-CoV.

READ: Pinay nurse with MERS-CoV pregnant | DOH: 11 on MERS-CoV watch

One of the three possible cases admitted to Research Institute for Tropical Medicine was diagnosed with pneumonia.

Another suspected case also showed negative results after two tests, Suy said.

The disease was neither detected in the third patient, who is yet to undergo a second examination.

Suy assured that the Filipino nurse is still the lone case of MERS-CoV in the country is in stable condition.

"Binabantayan po natin siya ... She's not showing any signs of distress," Suy members of the press.

Earlier this week, the health department announced that the 32-year-old Filipina nurse with for MERS-CoV is four to five weeks pregnant.