Russia ready to supply Philippines with ‘effective,’ ‘safe’ coronavirus vaccine

MANILA —Russia is ready to supply the Philippines in what could be the world’s first vaccine against COVID-19, its diplomat to Manila said Friday.

In a virtual press briefing, Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev said proposals to conduct clinical trials and the possible local production of the vaccine have been submitted to local authorities.

"We have 3 options for cooperation. First, clinical trials, if our Philippine partner considers it necessary. The second option [is] we are ready to supply vaccine to the Philippines. And third, the most promoted option, is local production of vaccine here on the Philippine soil,” Khovaev said.

“It means we are ready to combine our efforts, we are ready to make the investments together with our Philippines partners and we are ready to share our technologies, simply because we want to build a robust partnership between our 2 nations.”

Saying Russia already has an "effective" and "safe" COVID-19 vaccine, Khovaev said his government was ready to share it with interested international partners, including the Philippines.

He added that he expected the vaccine to get regulatory approval in Russia by mid-August before launching production.

Khovaev said Russian citizens would be vaccinated for free.

In response to Moscow’s offer, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said he had sent a note verbale or a diplomatic note to the Russian envoy on the proposals “with profound gratitude for Russia's offer and your warm friendship.”

In a separate tweet, Locsin hinted that the proposal would still go around different local departments.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) welcomed Russia's willingness to assist the Philippines in fighting the virus.

"The DFA conveys its appreciation for Russia’s willingness to assist the Philippines in its fight against COVID-19, as well as its offer to supply the SARS-COV-2 vaccine developed by N.F. Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation," the agency said.

The DFA added that Russia's offer will be evaluated by other relevant government agencies.

To date, the number of coronavirus cases in the Philippines has reached 122,754, with 3,379 new infections reported Friday.

The nationwide caseload includes 2,168 fatalities, 66,852 recoveries and 53,734 active cases

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When will coronavirus end? Carbonara? Here's what Filipinos Googled in April

MANILA - Filipinos researched on the coronavirus as well as pasta and rice cake recipes during the first full month of lockdown to ride out the pandemic, Google said.

Among the most asked questions regarding the virus on Google were: 

What is coronavirus?
Is coronavirus airborne?
Is there a cure for coronavirus?
How many cases of coronavirus in the Philippines?
When will coronavirus end?
Many also asked about how to keep themselves from getting infected, which country has no infection, when the outbreak started, how to know if you have the coronavirus, and how Taiwan controlled the virus, Google said.

Filipinos searched about the symptoms of COVID-19, including its mild symptoms, if diarrhea was a symptom of the disease, and what to do if you have symptoms of the disease, it said.

“The results reveal how Filipinos are using Google Search to cope with the community quarantine period and look for information about the pandemic,” the tech giant said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development also trended on Google last month, the search engine said, reaching an all-time high on April 5. The DSWD is among agencies involved in distributing cash aid to 18 million poor Filipino families. 

Filipinos also flocked to Google for recipes including carbonara, maja blanca, pancake, banana cake, puto, menudo, leche flan, pandesal, chicken curry and dalgona coffee. 

A previous report of Google meanwhile showed that Filipinos had dramatically cut back on trips outside their homes following the imposition of the lockdown.

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San Miguel donates COVID-19 testing booths, kits

MANILA - San Miguel Corp said Tuesday it donated sample collection booths and testing kits to all Metro Manila local government units as part of efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The facilities will be deployed to areas in "dire need," San Miguel President and COO Ramon Ang said in a statement. Swab samples will be taken in the booths.

“This is the best way we can help our local governments ramp up or expand their testing capacity--in particular, for poorer barangays and communities, even as national government takes care of building our mega swabbing centers, which for now will be focused on our returning OFWs,” Ang said.

San Miguel's efforts compliment the government's massive testing program and would expand its capacity, he said.

SMC also plans to put up its own testing laboratory for its 70,000 employees and extended workforce, it said.

Ang is also calling for the regulation of test kit prices.

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FamilyMart deploys rolling stores, delivery service

MANILA -- Convenience store chain FamilyMart deployed 2 rolling stores and will soon launch a delivery service to cater to millions cocooned in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, parent Phoenix Petroleum said Monday.

Fam on Wheels, offering contactless transactions, will be stationed in Phoenix pump stations in Metro Manila from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the fuel dealer founded by tycoon Dennis Uy told the stock exchange.

Family Mart will offer ordering through Facebook Messenger and deliveries via GrabFood and Lalamove Food from 8 a.m. to
4 p.m., Phoenix said.

Customers can order bento meals, chicken liempo, crispy pata, and ramen, it said. The service was set to launch last Sunday.

Fam on Wheels started serving clients on April 22, 2020 at Phoenix Dahlia in Quezon City and West Service Road in Muntinlupa City.

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COVID-19 cases in PH up by 211; breaches 7,000 mark

MANILA — The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines breached the 7,000 mark the same day that the government announced another extension of the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and other places.

The Department of Health on Friday recorded 211 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total to 7,192 cases.

The number of recoveries continued to increase with 40 new recovered patients, or a total of 762.

There were, however, 15 new COVID-related deaths, bringing the total number of coronavirus fatalities in the Philippines to 477.

Worldwide, there have been 2.7 million people infected with COVID-19 since the pandemic started. Of this number, more than 740,000 have recovered and more than 190,000 have died.

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Unilab releases P665 million for COVID-19 response

MANILA - Pharma giant Unilab Inc said it released P665 million for its COVID-19 response effort and the amount could top the P1 billion mark in the coming weeks.

Unilab said it delivered to its partners P317 million in essential medicines and vitamins, P192 million in personal protective equipment sets consist of coveralls, isolation gowns, face shields, N95 and surgical masks, gloves and shoe covers, P45 million in alcohol, hygiene and basic protective kits, P50 million support for COVID-19 test kit development and P11 million worth of ventilators.

It also supported fundraising drives of civil society groups for the marginalized communities with donations worth P50 million, Unilab said.

The Campos Hess-led firm said it would continue to share its resources tor the country's COVID-19 response.

With "husay and malasakit" as its core values, Unilab said it displayed expertise in responding to crisis situations by determining the kind of support appropriate to the vulnerable sector in collaboration with the Department of Health and the country's coronavirus task force.

Over 400 hospitals nationwide have received support from the firm, it said.

Unilab said it partnered with the Department of Science and Technologu (DOST), University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) and other public and private organizations for the possibility of "significant increase" in the country's testing capacity, which is vital in containing the spread of COVID-19.

Various private firms in the country have also extended millions in support for the government's fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

As of April 19, the Philippines has a total of 6,259 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 572 recoveries and 409 deaths.

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COVID-19 recoveries up by 52; total cases now at 5,878

MANILA — The number of patients who recovered from COVID-19 in the Philippines went up by 52, the Department of Health said Friday, bringing the total number of recoveries to 487.

At the same time, the number of new deaths remained relatively low at 25. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 387 fatalities in the Philippine due to COVID-19.

Since April 15, the total number of recoveries have exceeded the number of fatalities.

Meanwhile, the DOH reported 218 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the cumulative number of cases to 5,878.

The DOH said on Thursday that Filipinos should expect the number of recoveries to continue to rise as a number of COVID-19 patients have already been sent home for another 14-day quarantine and are just awaiting a repeat test to show that they are already negative of the disease.

As of Friday, over 2.1 million people have contracted COVID-19 in 185 countries around the world, according to the Johns Hopkins University. Since the start of the pandemic, more than 500,000 people have recovered while more than 145,000 have died.

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Ara Mina bakes cakes, cupcakes for COVID-19 frontliners

MANILA – Since the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) has been declared in the entire Luzon, most people have been doing their own part in helping the COVID-19 frontliners -- whether by donating funds, goods or medical equipment, or just by staying at home to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease.

For actress Ara Mina, she has been busy baking cakes and cupcakes which she sends to various hospitals here in Manila and in Pampanga, and even to military troops manning checkpoints.

“First week of ECQ, I was able to bake some cupcakes, cakes and we sent some food for our frontliners in Pasig Doctors Medical Center, AFP Medical Center, Angeles Pampanga Police Station 5 as well as police and military officers in San Mateo Rizal checkpoint. Just a little something for our heroes. Thank you to our frontliners, we salute you,” she wrote on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

First week of ECQ, I was able to bake some cupcakes, cakes and we sent some food for our frontliners in Pasig Doctors Medical Center, AFP Medical Center, Angeles Pampanga Police Station 5 (near #Hazelberry in Pampanga 😊), as well as Police and Military Officers in San Mateo Rizal checkpoint. Just a little something for our heroes. Thank you to our frontliners, we salute you! 😍 . My partner @christineangela21 and I were also able to share some groceries to our employees. Thank God for providing🙏🏻 . Tulungan lang po tayo hangga’t sa makakaya. We’re giving our best effort. Donating also to some friends na nagreraise ng funds. Still thinking of how we can help pa while still working from home for @hazelberryofficial para kahit papaano may maitulong pa tayo sa ating kapwa. . We can do this everyone! 😍👍🏻 . #FightCovid19 #FrontlinersPH #AraCares #GTGFCares #HazelberryCares #AraMinaFoundation

A post shared by 💖 𝐀𝐫𝐚 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐚 💖 (@therealaramina) on Apr 13, 2020 at 9:21am PDT

Mina, who owns Hazelberry Café which has branches in Quezon City, Pasig City and Pampanga, also said she and her partner have not forgotten their own employees, to whom they gave some groceries.

“Tulungan lang po tayo hangga’t sa makakaya. We’re giving our best effort. Donating also to some friends na nagre-raise ng funds. Still thinking of how we can help pa while still working from home for Hazelberry para kahit papaano may maitulong pa tayo sa ating kapwa,” she said.

Although the current situation may be difficult for everyone, Mina said there’s nothing we can’t do if people will help each other.

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TikTok promotes good vibes to beat lockdown blues: official

MANILA - TikTok is encouraging users to promote positivity on the dance video platform during the COVID-19 lockdown, as frontliners in scrub suits go viral, its Philippines head said Thursday.

Users are uploading more videos focused on safety and positivity after the enhanced community quarantine was imposed, said TikTok Philippines' User, Content and Community Operations manager Emmanuel John Castro.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) are among agencies that tapped TikTok to reach a wider audience, he said. 

"We make sure that these videos are shown in the Philippines because these promotes positivity we’ve always been craving for as Filipinos," Castro said.



"We try to promote the right kind of information out there because TikTok has been like a big platform of users for different ages," he said.

Millions in Luzon have turned to social media platforms and the internet for entertainment during the lockdown of Luzon, which was extended until April 30. 

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Mega sardines seeks to raise lockdown capacity to meet demand

MANILA -- Canned sardines maker Mega Global said Thursday it was working to increase capacity to meet heightened demand during the Luzon lockdown.

Mega is transporting employees to its plant in Zamboanga to raise capacity to 75 percent from 50 percent, said its founder, William Tiu Lim.



The company's plant in Valenzuela City north of Metro Manila is helping the company meet demand in the region, he told ANC.

"We are looking at ways and means to get more people coming in so capacity will be bigger," he said.

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The virtual doctor is in: Contactless consultations in the time of COVID-19

MANILA -- Her finger painful and swollen, Yazhmin Malajito tapped on her smartphone for a cure, mindful that she needs to stay at home due to the coronavirus pandemic. In a few minutes, a doctor told her exactly what she needed to do.

The doctor on the app sent a prescription for antibiotics via email and instructed her to go to the hospital for a minor procedure. The 23-year-old copywriter recalled opening the app at around 10:30 p.m. and had a response from a nurse in 10 minutes.

"Di ko na kaya ‘yung pain at iba na appearance ng finger ko. I wanted to go to a hospital kahit risky, but I remembered an email from our HR about this virtual doctor nga,” Malajito said.

(I can't take the pain anymore and my finger's appearance is different)

"Parang nasa ospital lang, except walang personal interaction (it was just like I was in a hospital, except there was no personal interaction)," she said.

Like groceries, food and services affected by the lockdown, healthcare is being delivered online, offering millions under home quarantine to see a doctor, albeit on their smartphones.

Malajito said the online consult cost P450 and it was covered by her health card.

VIRTUAL DOCTORS

Despite being around for years, apps that offer virtual consultations gained wider traction due to the Luzon lockdown, MEDIFI CEO and co-founder Jay Fajardo told ABS-CBN News.

MEDIFI, a telehealth platform that connects doctors and patients remotely, was launched in 2015 to relieve the "overburdened" healthcare system. It's new version went online last November 2019, Fajardo said.

Users and doctors on the platform grew "exponentially" after the enhanced community quarantine was announced, he said. The app now has 1,280 doctors and 6,261 patients with over 300 daily sign-ups.

Currently, the app caters to over 120 consultations per day, he said.

"The benefits of telehealth, which had so far been mere theoretical in the past 5 years, were now made apparent by the limits a total lockdown posed on traditional doctor patient consultations," Fajardo said.

"We did indeed experience an exponential surge because of the quarantine," he added.

Patients need to choose a doctor on the app based on specialization and their consultation fees. Once confirmed, virtual consultations can be done through chat and video calls with media, document sharing and e-prescriptions, Fajardo said.

"By being able to choose the doctors based on their economic capacity, we’re able to serve a wider market, even those who have long been hesitant to tap healthcare services because of cost," he said.

There has been a surge in use by millennials like Malajito, which could be due to their "being in the sweet spot of being the market for healthcare while possessing progressive attitudes toward technology," Fajardo said. 

The app has seen higher volumes of requests for Pediatrics and OB-Gyn consultations, Fajardo said.

Although there is a confidentiality clause, they observed requests for pulmonary specialists which could be triggered by respiratory illnesses related to COVID-19, he said.

It took a coronavirus pandemic for Malajito and for the other Filipinos to trust virtual consultations.

"Nakakakaba kasi (it's scary) what if the doctor didn't really understand my problem? What if photos weren't enough? Swerte lang 'yung condition ko in a way kasi pwedeng mapicturan...Super thankful for these apps and the frontliners behind them. They're medical professionals after all," she said.

Due to e-commerce and online payments, more and more Filipinos are becoming confident to use telehealth services, Fajardo said. 

"The key word now is convenience and the time is right for MEDIFI to provide the same experience as these services, with a keen focus on healthcare," Fajardo said.

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233 new COVID-19 cases recorded in PH; total now at 4,428

MANILA - The Department of Health on Saturday announced 233 new cases of the coronavirus disease 2019, bringing the nationwide total to 4,428. 

The health department also announced 17 new recoveries, bringing the total of recovered cases to 157. 

Twenty-six new deaths have also been recorded, bringing the number of fatalities to 247. 

The DOH recently issued a memo changing the classification for COVID-19 patients in a bid to boost testing measures for patients being screened for the virus. 


Meanwhile, the DOH has also denied reports that a Metro Manila-based hospital was allegedly "instructed to stop counting COVID-19 deaths." 

"DOH clarifies that it has never issued any order to stop the census or reporting of cases or any case related to COVID-19 to any health facility," it said. 

It also urged the public to be discerning when spreading information. 

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World Bank approves $500 million loan for Philippines to fight COVID-19

MANILA -- The World Bank said Friday it approved a $500 million (P25.2 billion) loan to the Philippines to help the Southeast Asian nation fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The financing is part of the Washington-based lender's $14-billion fast-track package to help nations deal with the disease that has killed tens of thousands around the world.

"The World Bank is committed to supporting efforts to strengthen the Philippines’ capacity to prepare for and respond to natural disasters as well as health and economic shocks like COVID-19," said Achim Fock, World Bank Acting Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.

"Natural disasters and pandemics disproportionately hurt poor families and communities. Enhancing risk management and the capacity to address these challenges can help ensure that the Philippines can sustain progress in poverty reduction," he said.

The $500 million loan is part of a broader package that aims to help the Philippines build disaster resilience, the World Bank said.

As of Thursday, the Philippines confirmed 4,076 COVID-19 cases including 203 deaths and 124 recoveries. Luzon, home to half of its 100 million population, is on lockdown until April 30 to fight the spread of the disease.

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TikTok pledges $1 million to PGH Medical Foundation

MANILA -- Video-sharing app TikTok is helping the Philippines in its fight against COVID-19 as it pledged to donate $1 million to Philippine General Hospital Medical Foundation Inc. (PGHMFI). 

PGHMFI is a non-profit organization that is a major partner of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

The fund will help provide protective gear and equipment as well as relief for health care workers, according to a statement released by TikTok on Thursday. 

"Nothing's as priceless as a community that comes together in times of crisis and does their part to battle against it. PGHMFI greatly appreciates the enormous support from TikTok, which will help us secure PPEs and essential supplies to the front line health care professionals of PGH," PGHMFI president Dr. Telesforo Gana said.

"This is truly a big help as the PGH continues to fulfill its role as a government-designated COVID-19 hospital. With coordinated efforts, we believe we can prevent a greater outbreak, save more lives and start healing," Gana added. 

Helena Lersch, global public policy director for TikTok, for her part, praised Filipinos' resilience amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"TikTok could attest to the Filipino resilience. We have witnessed how the Filipino community managed to look out for each other and bring a smile or deliver a message of hope despite the gravity of the situation," Lersch said.

"We are grateful that TikTok has been part of Filipinos' everyday lives. We hope that this donation will give our medical frontliners the best equipment and supplies that will lead to the healing of the Philippines. From the bottom of our hearts, maraming salamat Pinoy community, and salamat, frontliners!"

TikTok users in the Philippines have been showing their support for health care workers through the #salamatfrontliners campaign, which has received 29,742 videos and 56,209,777 views.

In response, frontliners also took to TikTok to share their messages of hope and inspiration, with some of them dancing to "Fight Song" as they continue their battle against the novel coronavirus. 

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Jollibee slashes capex, eyes delivery to recover from COVID-19 lockdown

MANILA - Jollibee Foods Corp said Tuesday it would reduce its planned capital expenditures for the year as the coronavirus pandemic disrupts operations.

Capex for 2020 was cut by 64 percent to P5 billion from P14 billion due to "operational constraints" and "limited mobility" caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jollibee told the stock exchange. 

Deliveries accounted for 5 percent of total sales in the early part of 2020, from 3 percent during the same comparable period in 2019, the Philippines' largest fast food operator said. 

Select stores in Luzon were closed from mid-March due to the lockdown, which was extended until April 30. Stores that stayed open were limited to drive thru, takeout, delivery and selling ready-to-cook meals.

Jollibee is eyeing “full restoration” after the lockdown is lifted with its delivery business driving recovery, said CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong.

“While the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented disruption to our operations in the Philippines and other parts of the world, we are already planning for the full restoration of our operations. We expect growth to resume even if gradually, driven by our Delivery, Take-Out and Drive Thru business channels,” Tanmantiong said. 

Jollibee has donated P100 million worth of food from its brands to frontliners. It would allot another P120 million in food aid for the marginalized sector, JFC said.

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Spain announces record 838 virus deaths in 24 hours

MADRID - Spain confirmed another 838 deaths in 24 hours from coronavirus on Sunday, a new daily record bringing the total number of deaths to 6,528, according to health ministry figures.

The number of confirmed cases in Spain has now reached 78,797 -- after the one-day increase of 9.1 percent -- as the country battles the world's second most deadly outbreak after Italy.

Except for a brief lull recorded on Thursday, Spain's death toll has been rising daily.

However, officials have pointed to a slower growth rate for both deaths and confirmed cases and expressed hope that the peak of the outbreak was approaching.

"The spread (of the pandemic) appears to be stabilizing. It even appears to be in retreat, but we have to remember that our fundamental problem at the moment is to ensure the intensive care units are not saturated," said Fernando Simon, the health ministry's emergencies coordinator. 

Simon said that 6 out of a total 17 regions "have reached their capacity limit and three more are fast approaching that stage." 

The toughening of the current lockdown conditions should help the situation, he added 

Spain also reported Sunday that 14,709 people had been cured of COVID-19, a rise of 19.7 percent in 24 hours.

Like Italy, Spain on Saturday tightened measures to contain the outbreak, ordering a halt to all "non-essential" activities.

Currently, people in Spain are authorized to leave home for work if remote work is not possible, to buy food, get medical care or briefly walk their dog.

"All workers in non-essential economic activities must stay at home for two weeks," Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.

The health, food and energy sectors are among areas considered to be essential.

An emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday decided on the details of the new measures.

From Monday only essential services will be allowed to function until at least Thursday April 4, the meeting decided.

That means other sectors, including construction and most office work will be halted

Agence France-Presse

Families of COVID-19 fatalities can claim memorial benefits: insurance body

MANILA - Families of COVID-19 fatalities who have memorial plans can still claim benefits, even if burials are shortened and managed by authorities, the head of the Philippine Insurance Commission said Friday.

The bereaved can get the cash value of the plan or transfer the benefit to another beneficiary depending on the plan holder's "insurability," Philippine Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa said in a statement.

Insurability is based on time of the plan purchase, health condition of the holder upon purchase and the time of death, he said.

"If plan is already fully paid, a fully paid plan will be provided to an identified beneficiary... If a planholder is insurable, an insurance benefit equivalent to the contract price of the plan will be provided to the beneficiaries," Funa said.

Patients who died of the coronavirus disease are isolated and cremated within 12 hours without a funeral, based on guidelines set by the Department of Health.

Under the measure, local government units are tasked to designate funeral service facilities that can handle the remains of COVID-19 fatalities, and to provide financial aid to families of the deceased, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles earlier said.

Funeral homes that refuse to service COVID-19 fatalities will be penalized.

The Philippines tallied 45 deaths as of 4 p.m. Friday with 707 confirmed cases, according to official data from the DOH.

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Philippines' COVID-19 death toll now at 12

MANILA - The Philippines has recorded 12 deaths from the coronavirus disease 2019, with four more fatalities reported Sunday, the Department of Health said.

On Sunday afternoon, the DOH reported the death of patients 9, 54 and 39.


Patient 9 was an 86-year-old American male from Marikina City died Saturday afternoon. He had history of travel from the US and South Korea.

Patient 54, a 40-year-old Filipino male from Pasig City, died early morning Sunday. He had no history of travel and no history of exposure prior to the onset of symptoms.

Patient 36, a 64-year-old Filipino male from Negros Oriental, died past 11 a.m. Sunday. He had a history of travel to Greenhills, and had chronic renal disease.

A few hours after, DOH reported another fatality, this time, of patient 12, a 56-year-old Filipino male who died Sunday night.

Patient 12 died of acute respiratory distress syndrome and reportedly had preexisting asthma.

He was admitted to Makati Medical Center on March 7 and was confirmed to be positive for COVID-19 on March 9.

The country currently has 140 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The Philippines is currently under a state of public health emergency, with the response alert at Code Red, Sub-level 2 following "sustained community transmission."

Metro Manila is currently under community quarantine starting Sunday, March 15, to Tuesday, April 14, as government hoped to contain the outbreak.


The COVID-19 has killed over 5,000 people and infected some 140,000 others worldwide, prompting the World Health Organization to declare it as a pandemic.

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