MANILA - The number of patients being monitored for possible infection of the new coronavirus (2019 nCoV) has climbed further to 281, in addition to 3 confirmed cases the Department of Health said Sunday.

Of this figure, 240 were admitted to hospitals across the country, 24 were discharged and 2 died.

Fifteen others also refused admission, according to DOH.

Sunday's tally was up from 267 on Saturday.

• DOH: Number of patients under investigation for 2019 nCoV rises to 267

A Filipino was confirmed to have contracted the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the United Arab Emirates, its state news agency said Saturday, citing information from the health ministry.

TWO FATALITIES

The DOH said the first death was a case of pneumonia in an immunocompromised patient, while the second death was a case of pneumonia in a patient with underlying restrictive lung disease.

All three confirmed cases meanwhile came from the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the outbreak originated.

The Philippine government has since brought home 30 Filipinos from the virus' epicenter and quarantined them at the Athletes' Village in New Clark City, Tarlac.

• 30 Filipinos from nCoV-stricken Wuhan arrive in Philippines