The entire Zamboanga Peninsula region has no case of coronavirus disease (COVID 19), the Department of Health (DOH) reported Monday, March 2.

Per its monitoring, the DOH reported that the region, as a whole, remains free from COVID 19 and currently does not have any persons under investigation (PUIs).

“Wala po tayong PUIs starting from January 2020 to present,” said Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) head Dr. Dennis Dacayanan during a press briefing at City Hall.

There are, however, 3 currently individuals being observed as persons under monitoring (PUMs) in Zamboanga del Norte, noted Dr. Dacayanan. Based on DOH data, the region has had 26 (PUMs) since January 2020, composed mostly of individuals who had travel in China and stopovers in Hong Kong.

Individuals with history of travel to China, Macau, Hong Kong, and most recently, South Korea, are closely monitored by the DOH.

The Philippines has a documented 638 PUIs. Of this number, 592 have been discharged from hospital admissions, while 43 remain under investigation in different health facilities. The country has 3 confirmed COVID 19 cases, of which there has been 1 mortality.

Meanwhile, DOH IX Assistant Director Dr. Joshua Brillantes debunked rumors circulating in social media which attributes the country’s low COVID cases to its warm climate.

“Coronavirus is still new….we cannot claim that it is because of the temperature or climate natin sa Philippines compared to other areas kaya wala pa rin tayo sa Pilipinas. It is still under study,” Dr. Brilliantes said.

Dr. Brilliantes maintained stringent handwashing with soap and water or alcoho as one of the most effective measures for protection against COVID 19. (Jasmine Mohammadsali)