By Mike Crismundo BUTUAN CITY – Health authorities are closely monitoring a patient who is under investigation (PUI) for possible infection of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the first in the Caraga region. The latest indications showed that the PUI was already recovering at an undisclosed location in the region, according to Department of Health (DOH) Regional Director Jose Llacuna, who noted that the patient only had “mild cough and was not nursing fever.” The official said the patient’s specimen was already sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for confirmatory test. “We still emphasize regular hand washing and proper cough etiquette to prevent the spread of the COVID-19,” he said. “I urge all Caraganons to continuously listen to the health advisories of the DOH and verify sources of information for public order and safety,” Llacuna said. “Together, we can fight the threat brought about by COVID-19,” he added. DOH Caraga also disclosed that, as of February 17, there are 12 persons under monitoring (PUMs). A total of 36 PUM were recorded in Caraga region, while 24 of these have already completed the 14-day monitoring period, it said. “We would like to commend our local government units (LGUs), especially the surveillance officers at the local level, for their hard work in the implementation and monitoring of our PUMs during their home quarantine,” Llacuna said.