The Department of Health in Caraga (DOH-13) has clarified that there is no case of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) recorded in the region.

In an advisory released Friday, DOH-13 appealed to the public to “refrain from sharing unwarranted and unvalidated information” that might only cause panic.

The agency said it is distributing face masks to hospitals to augment their supplies.

DOH-13 issued the advisory a day after several unverified information proliferated in social media, saying several patients are being admitted for nCOV at the government-run regional hospital in Surigao City.

In an interview on Saturday, DOH-13 director Jose Llacuna Jr. told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) said the 12 individuals are currently being monitored “because of their travel to China in the past 14 days.”

“They have no symptoms of the novel coronavirus. They are considered Persons Under Monitoring or PUM because of their travel to China in the past 14 days. These PUMs are also cooperating with our health personnel,” Llacuna said.

He also clarified the distinction between the PUM and PUI or person under investigation.

He said a PUM has no symptoms of 2019-nCoV but must be placed under monitoring due to his or her history of travel to China in the past 14 days.

A PUI, Llacuna added, is one who has symptoms such as fever, cold, and cough and has a history of travel to China in the past 14 days.

He said PUI cases need to be admitted to hospitals for isolation.

“I would like to reiterate that we have no cases of PUI in the Caraga Region. I also assure the public that our health personnel are closely watching individuals who are only considered as PUM,” Llacuna said.

He said they are unable to divulge the identities of the PUMs for their protection and privacy.

For monitoring effort, Llacuna said they have also provided thermal guns and protective gear to airport personnel and seaports in the region. (PNA)