MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health on Saturday released a new set of guidelines for detecting cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which no longer account for asymptomatic (no symptoms) cases with exposure history as "persons under monitoring." The new classifications to be used – adapting provisions of the World Health Organization's interim guidance on global surveillance for COVID-19 – are "suspect," "probable" and "confirmed." "Since January 28...the Philippines has used decision tools to classify individuals as either Patients Under Investigation or Persons Under Monitoring,” read the Health department’s Administrative Order 2020-0013 dated Thursday. "Because of local or community transmission in the [Philippines], its residents are assumed to have been exposed to the infection," read a note in the new guidelines explaining why PUMs are not included in the latest case definitions. Philstar.com has attempted to reach Health Secretary Francisco Duque III for additional clarification but he has not responded as of writing.

Source: Philippine Star April 11, 2020 08:26 UTC