Authorities in Negros Oriental are monitoring 38 people for possible novel coronavirus infection, the province's governor said Wednesday.

Of the total, 37 were hotel staff and pedicab drivers who came in close contact with the Philippines' first 2 confirmed coronavirus cases, said Governor Roel Degamo.

The 2 confirmed cases, a woman and her male companion, were from the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus was first detected. From Wuhan, they took flights to Hong Kong, Cebu and Dumaguete -- the capital of Negros Oriental -- before arriving in Manila.

Four of those who interacted with the Wuhan couple were confined in isolation rooms while the rest were advised to self-quarantine in their homes, Degamo said.

A Taiwan national who arrived in Negros Oriental with flu symptoms was also placed in isolation, he added.

"Hopefully, walang nahawa (no one was infected). That's what we're praying for," he told DZMM.

Degamo earlier suspended classes in public schools in Negros Oriental until Friday as precautionary measure against the possible spread of the new coronavirus that has killed nearly 500 and infected some 24,000 globally.

DZMM, Feb. 5, 2020