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DOH reports 707 COVID-19 cases

The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday said that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country climbed to more than 700.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a press briefing on Thursday that 71 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded, bringing the country’s total to 707 cases.

The death toll also jumped to 45, after the death of seven more COVID-19 patients.

“Kami po ay sadyang nakikiramay sa mga pamilyang naulila ng ating mga yumaong kababayan,” said Duque. (“We are extending our condolences to the bereaved families of our deceased countrymen.”)

Meanwhile, two more patients have recovered from the dreaded disease, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 28.

“Magandang balita po na marami na tayong kababayan na naka-recover. Ang recoveries po na ito ay palatandaan na hindi dapat haluhan ng stigma ang ating mga PUIs (patients under investigation) o PUMs (persons under monitoring) at lalong-lalo na ang ating mga frontline health workers,” said the Health chief.

(“It’s good news: many more of our infected countrymen have recovered. This underlines the importance of not assigning any stigma to PUIs or PUMs, and especially to our frontline health workers.”)

Duque reiterated anew that the public should be prepared to accept the probability that the number of cases will continue to rise in the coming days.

“Muli, ang bilang ng mga confirmed cases ay asahan na patuloy na tataas sa mga susunod na araw dahil mas marami na po tayong nate-test,” he said.

(“We reiterate that the number of confirmed cases will continually increase in the next few days as there are many more possible COVID-19 infected persons that have been tested.”)

Published March 26, 2020, 5:17 PM

By Analou De Vera (Manila Bulletin)

BREAKING: DOH records 3 more COVID-19 deaths, 84 new cases, 636 infected

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded three more deaths due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and 84 new cases of infection in the country.

This brings the number of deaths due to COVID-19 to 38. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country is now recorded at 636.

The DOH also reported six new recoveries, taking the total number of persons who have recovered from the illness to 26 as of 4 pm Wednesday.

COVID-19, which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), is caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The virus is related to the virus which causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome but is not as deadly, with only around a 3 percent mortality rate.

WHO said 80 percent of patients experience mild illness and eventually recover from the disease, while some 14 percent experience severe illness and five percent were critically ill. The illness may be fatal for the elderly, the immunocompromised, and those with underlying medical conditions.

Among the symptoms of a COVID-19 infection are fever, tiredness, and a dry cough. Some patients may also experience aches or pains, nasal congestion, a runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea.

The virus is spread through small droplets from the nose or mouth when those infected coughs or sneezes. Health authorities urge the public to practice frequent hand washing, cover their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and avoid close contact with those exhibiting respiratory symptoms to prevent infection.

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

By: Cathrine Gonzales - Reporter / @cgonzalesINQ

INQUIRER.net / 04:50 PM March 25, 2020

DOH: No medicine yet to prevent or treat COVID-19

Health authorities reminded the public on Wednesday that there is still no medicine to prevent or treat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Department of Health (DOH) has cautioned the public against the use of anti-malarial drug chloroquine, citing that it is still not approved for the treatment of the dreaded disease.

“Ito pong chloroquine ay isang off-label drug. Ibig sabihin ginagamit po ito for another purpose. Ito po ay isang anti-malarial drug at ito po ay meron din kaakibat na side effects kaya po pinag-iingat po natin ang ating mga kababayan na kumuha po ng tamang impormasyon sa paggamit nito,” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

[Chloroquine is an off-label drug, meaning it is being used for another purpose. It is an anti-malarial drug and has potential side effects. So we advise the public to get proper information regarding its usage.]

“Ang mga gamot po na ito ay binibigay with the adequate guidance po ng ating mga doktor bago po natin ito magamit,” she added.

[This medicine is being given with adequate guidance from doctors before patients can use it.]

This was seconded by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration as it reminded the public that social distancing and proper personal hygiene are still the best way to prevent contracting COVID-19.

“To date, no specific medicine is recommended to prevent you from getting infected with COVID-19. Proper hand washing and social distancing are the only ways to prevent you from getting infected,” it said.

“Common and uncommon side effects include eye disorder (blurring of vision and color blindness), muscle weakness and spasm, psychotic disorders including hallucinations, anaemia, aplastic anaemia, and weakening of heart muscles,” it added.

Some countries are reportedly studying chloroquine as a possible treatment for COVID-19.

By Analou De Vera (Manila Bulletin)

Published March 25, 2020, 3:34 PM