WATCH: DOH updates on 2019 novel coronavirus

NCOV BRIEFING. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, with WHO Country Representative Rabindra Abetasinghe, during a press conference at the headquarters of the Department of Health in Manila on January 21, 2020. File photo by KD Madrilejos/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) is on high alert for the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

The virus has sickened over 20,000 in China and other countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia, and killed over 400, most of them in Wuhan, China, where the infection started.

The DOH is currently monitoring 105 people for the novel coronavirus.

On February 2, the DOH confirmed the first death due to 2019-nCoV in the Philippines, and effectively the first death outside of China.

Since January 28, the DOH has been holding daily press briefings on the novel coronavirus. Bookmark this page for updates. – Rappler.com