DoH amends rules on classification of COVID-19 patients

THE Department of Health has amended an administrative order by including the new classifications of the coronavirus disease 2019 patients and providing for standards on detection and monitoring of cases.

The new order will amend a directive that laid out guidelines on the inclusion of COVID-19 among the list of diseases that should be reported to the Health department.

Under the new rules, the COVID-19 patients are now classified as suspect, probable, and confirmed. Before, the patients were either under investigation or monitoring.

The establishment of a standard system of case detection, investigation, laboratory confirmation and notification include DoH’s Epidemiology Bureau leading the COVID-19 surveillance system.

Under the system, cases will be detected through the expanded Severe Acute Respiratory Infection and enhanced Influenza-like illness sentinel surveillance system, notification from health and laboratory facilities, and event-based surveillance and response. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas