MANILA - Majority or 98 percent of people who get infected with the new coronavirus recover from the illness, the Department of Health said Thursday in a bid to squash misinformation and panic about the new virus.

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"The doctors are not afraid. The infectious disease doctors are willing to admit these patients because they know 98 percent will get better," DOH spokesperson Eric Domingo told ANC's Early Edition.

"It’s not a death sentence, even if you are diagnosed with it, 98 percent probably will recover from it."

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Domingo said level 2 or 3 hospitals, or those with infectious disease wards and isolation rooms, are required to admit patients suspected of having the new strain of virus.

Those who will not comply may lose their license, he added.

"Maybe hospitals are afraid business might suffer, but that’s no reason because you're in the business of health," Domingo said.

The Philippines is currently monitoring some 133 patients under investigation of carrying the virus. The DOH confirmed a third case of infected person on Wednesday, while 1 fatality was reported over the weekend--the first outside of virus epicenter China.​

The remains of the 44-year-old Chinese man, who died Saturday of severe pneumonia, is set to be cremated and returned to China, Domingo said.

Domingo reminded the public of frequent hand washing to avoid contracting the virus. He added that those who need to wear a mask are health workers, the elderly, those with weak immune system, and those who are sick to avoid infecting other people.

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