By Betheena Unite Almost all regions in the country are now monitoring at least one patient showing flu-like symptoms as the number of persons under investigation (PUIs) for the 2019-novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD) climbed to 314 Monday. Department of Health (Manila Bulletin) “Almost all regions have at least one person under investigation,” Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said in a press briefing, adding that Bicol Region was the latest region to report another case of a PUI, leaving two regions unscathed. The latest Department of Health data showed that of the 314 cases under watch, 261 were admitted to hospitals, 48 have been discharged, and two PUIs died due to other causes. Confirmed cases remained at three – one died and the two others were discharged. Most cases were recorded in the National Capital Region with 105 cases, including six patients who had been discharged. The first confirmed case of 2019-nCoV ARD, on the other hand, was reportedly discharged from the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila Saturday after testing negative for the disease. However, as one positive development took place over the weekend, the department recorded an increased number of pending cases sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). “Talagang dumadami ang pinapadala natin sa RITM nitong last weekend (We have been sending increased samples to the RITM over the last weekend),” Domingo said. Meanwhile, Domingo said reports stating that the infectious disease is already airborne remain inconclusive. “I did ask for information on this the World Health Organization (WHO) and they said there is nothing conclusive about this at this time. It still needs studies by the WHO but precaution still needs to be taken. But until we are given any hard evidence, right now the WHO has not classified it as airborne infection.”