COVID-19 cases in Philippines rise to 64

CEBU, Philippines —  Twelve new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections were confirmed in the Philippines as of yesterday, raising the country’s total to 64, a day after the government announced a new set of measures in a bid to contain the virus.

Since the country first detected an infection in late January, five people have died from the disease that emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. Four of the five virus-related deaths in the Philippines were reported this week.

The country’s new confirmed cases are the following:

•             PH53: A 30-year-old male from Mandaluyong City. He is admitted at The Medical City.

•             PH54: A 40-year-old male from Pasig City. He was brought to Ortigas Hospital and Health Care Center.

•             PH55: A 59-year-old female. She is confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center.

•             PH56: A 41-year-old male. He is being treated at St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City

•             PH57: A 65-year-old male. He is admitted at The Medical City.

•             PH58: A 45-year-old female from Makati City. She was brought to The Medical City.

•             PH59: A 27-year-old male. He is being treated at the Makati Medical Center.

•             PH60: A 49-year-old male from Makati City. He is being treated at St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City.

•             PH61: A 70-year-old female. She is admitted at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center.

•             PH62: A 35-year-old female. She was brought to Ortigas Hospital and Health Care Center.

•             PH63: A 33-year-old male from Rizal. He is confined at Marikina Valley Medical Center.

•             PH64: A 32-year-old male from Manila. He is being treated at Bataan St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center.

The Department of Health said it is conducting intensive information-gathering and contact tracing on the new cases.

Elderly people and those with underlying medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease and immunosuppression are vulnerable to COVID-19.

President Rodrigo Duterte, during a nationally televised address, announced plans to halt domestic travel to and from Metro Manila—home to nearly 13 million people—as the Philippines raised its alarm to Code Red Sub-Level 2.

“It’s a lockdown. There is no struggle of power here. It is a matter of protecting and defending you from COVID-19,” Duterte said.

He also announced a ban on mass gatherings, extended school closure and prohibition on the entry of foreigners from places where the virus is spreading.

Cases globally now stand at more than 125,000 and 4,600 deaths. Philstar.com (FREEMAN)