COVID-19 cases in PH swell to over 400, death toll climbs to 33

MANILA — The Philippines' health department reported on Monday the largest number so far of new cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a single day at 82, raising the country's total tally to 462.

It also said that 8 more patients succumbed to the disease, bringing the total number of fatalities to 33.

The number of patients who recovered stood at 18.

All the 8 new deaths are male patients, of whom most have pre-existing health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. The youngest is 56 years old and the oldest is 89 years old.

The latest case of recovery, meanwhile, involved a 54-year-old Filipino male from Manila who recently traveled to Thailand and was exposed to a known COVID-19 case.

He was hypertensive, and first experienced symptoms on March 6. He tested positive on March 13, and was discharged on March 21.

Health officials have earlier warned that the number of cases in the country is expected to spike in the coming days as more tests are being conducted on probable patients.

Since last week, the country's main island of Luzon has been on lockdown in an attempt to curb the spread of the disease.

The novel disease was first reported in China late last year and has spread to more than 180 countries and territories, based on the latest report of the World Health Organization. The global tally of the cases is nearing 300,000, with deaths of close to 13,000.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Probers hit DOH findings on killer milk tea

MANILA - Investigators of the Manila Police District (MPD) yesterday criticized the Department of Health as ''irresponsible'' for going public with an initial report that stated that the milk tea that killed two people tested negative for four toxins.

A source, who asked for anonymity, said MPD investigators were surprised that the DOH held a press conference to apparently put an end to their investigation, when autopsy results clearly showed that ErgoCha teahouse owner William Abrigo and customer Suzaine Dagohoy died after ingesting toxic substances.

“They know they only have initial results in such a sensitive case, but they wanted to look good before the press. Someone died. We should be more sensitive,” the source said.

Dagohoy’s family, according to the source, went to the MPD and said they are losing hope to get justice for her death because of what the DOH did.

“What are they trying to do? Convince the public that there was no foul play here? That the investigation is over?” the source added.

What the MPD investigators could not understand is why the DOH, led by Secretary Janette Garin, held a press conference first before talking to the police.

“They did not even give the MPD the results. In the first place, the police requested the examination,” the source said.

Autopsy reports conducted by two different government physicians show that “shock secondary to ingestion of toxic substance” was the “cause of death” for the two victims.

GARIN: CRIMINALIZE SALE OF SUBSTANCES WITH CYANIDE

Meanwhile, despite finding that the milk tea samples collected from the teahouse tested negative for cyanide, Garin urged legislators yesterday to criminalize the sale and dispensing of substances with cyanide.

She said there are alternatives to cyanide-based solutions, particularly those used for cleaning silver jewelry.

Garin urged the public to be aware of the initial signs and symptoms of poisoning such as vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness and loss of consciousness.

“If you smell or taste something unusual in your food or drinks, don’t eat or drink it anymore. If ingested, spit it out,” she said. – Aie Balagtas See, Sheila Crisostomo

Read more on The Philippine Star

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

7 firecrackers to avoid this New Year

Do you plan to welcome 2014 with a bang? A word of warning: as of Dec 30, the Department of Health has reported a 30 percent increase in firecracker-related injuries compared to last year.

"Out of the 253 firecracker injuries reported so far, 164 were caused by 'Piccolo'...a small tubular fireworks that whistles then explodes," reports ABS-CBNnews.com.

Call us kill-joys, but we feel we need to say this: Keep your hands off the firecrackers. And while we still have our digits intact, we're sticking our middle finger to these blasters:

1. Green Environmental Protection

The name doesn't fool us: Green Environmental Protection is being sold at PHP150 per box in Bocaue, Bulacan, and claims to be very safe and not produce waste.

2. Kiramisu

Kiramisu, sold underground in Divisoria for PHP50 "can split a pig's feet," according to the vendor we spoke to.

3. The Great Bawang Corsair

The Great Bawang Corsair, also sold in Divisoria's black market, promises a very loud boom at PHP10 per box.

4. Plapla

Plapla, another firecracker that has been declared illegal, cost PHP50 for 10 pieces, and can injure 6 persons in one blast.

For the complete list of 7 firecrackers to avoid, read the original story at the Coconuts Manila website.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Hospitals in quake-hit areas under red alert

MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) has placed all hospitals in quake-ravaged areas under red alert, DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said.

Under red alert, all medical and non-medical personnel are required to report for work.

In an interview with ANC's "News Now" on Tuesday afternoon, Tayag said they will also deploy staff from hospitals in the National Capital Region to augment the teams in the affected areas.

Tayag said the hospitals are expecting an influx of patients as aftershocks are still expected to persist this week.

The DOH earlier said cracks were discovered in six hospitals but assured that they are still operational.

Tayag said inspection of the buildings is ongoing to ensure the safety of the patients as well as the hospital staff.

The government said relief efforts are underway and funds for the affected areas are ready.

The provinces of Bohol and Cebu have been placed under a state of calamity due to the devastating effects of the magnitude 7.2 quake that rocked parts of Visayas and Mindanao Tuesday morning.

The death toll is currently pegged at 73.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com