Philippines’ coronavirus deaths exceed 300 as infections approach 5,000
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 4:59 p.m.) — The Philippines recorded 18 new fatalities related to the coronavirus outbreak Monday, raising the national death toll to 315.
The number of deaths was lower than the previous day’s toll of 50.
The Department of Health also reported 284 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the number of confirmed infections to 4,932.
The department also announced 45 new recoveries—a record-high. In total, 242 individuals have been cleared of the illness.
Meanwhile, a total of 3,082 patients are still being treated in hospitals.
DOH spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said Monday that the coronavirus crisis in the country may last until January 2021 if no intervention is done.
There are now 15 testing facilities across the archipelago. Over 35,804 individuals have been tested.
The agency added that there are now 75 designated COVID-19 hospitals nationwide that can house 3,194 patients as well as temporary treatment and monitoring facilities with total bed capacity of 4,413.
No new deaths among Filipinos abroad
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday reported six new cases of Filipinos infected with COVID-19 abroad, driving the tally to 660. Of the figure, 192 have recovered.
The death toll still stands at 84 after no new fatality was logged.
More than 1.8 million declared cases have been recorded in over 190 countries and territories since the virus first emerged in central China late last year. The worldwide death toll rose to over 114,000.
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Photo shows members of the Philippine National Police deployed in Manila amid COVID-19 threat. The STAR/Edd Gumban
President Rodrigo Duterte on March 16, 2020 declares an enhanced community quarantine over all of mainland Luzon, an expansion of an earlier general community quarantine over the National Capital Region.
The entire National Capital Region—16 cities and a municipality—is under community quarantine from March 15 to April 14, which means the enforcement of social distancing measures like letting fewer people on public transportation, reduced store hours, and the possibiity of curfews.
According to a memorandum issued by the Palace on Saturday, March 14, the quarantine means that "movement of people shall be limited to accessing basic necessities and work; and uniformed personnel and quarantine officers shall be present at border points."
Travel restrictions in and out of the capital will also be implemented.
A labor group says another lockdown will never resolve rising COVID-19 cases in the Philippines after the government announced that Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal are placed under the enhanced community quarantine starting Monday.
“The Duterte government seems to be deliberate in focusing its efforts in imposing quarantine and lockdown measures instead of addressing the rising cases of COVID-19 and the worsening state of the pandemic through medical solutions and scientific approach,” says Defend Jobs Philippines.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque says the implementation of enhanced community quarantine is meant to slow down the increase of COVID-19 cases, so hospitals and health workers will not be overwhelmed.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announces that Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal are placed under enhanced community quarantine starting Monday, March 29.
Tuguegarao City will be placed under enhanced community quarantine from January 20 to 29 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city.
Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba approved the request of Tuguegarao Mayor Jefferson Soriano to place the city under ECQ for 10 days.
According to the Cagayan Provincial Information Office, the city currently has 246 active cases.
BREAKING NEWS | ENERO 19, 2021 RIATF INAPRUBAHAN NA ANG PAGSASAILALIM SA TUGUEGARAO CITY SA 10-ARAW NA...
Posted by Cagayan Provincial Information Office on Tuesday, 19 January 2021
Batangas, one of the provinces hardest hit by the novel coronavirus, has reported no new cases of the disease for two consecutive days.
The provincial DOH Office says the number of COVID-19 cases in the province stood at 91 with no new cases as of Wednesday afternoon.
Lipa City has the most cases with 26, followed by Batangas City (21) and Nasugbu (11).
Tanauan City has the fourth most cases with eight, followed by Bauan (5) and Alitagtag (3). Cuenca and Sto. Tomas City had two cases each, while the municipalities of Calaca, Lemery, Lian, Lobo, Mabini, Mataas na Kahoy, Padre Garcia, San Jose, San Juan, San Pascual and Taal had one case each, respectively. — The Filipino Connection
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