DOH denies hiding real COVID-19 count amid sudden increase

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday denied accusations that it is not being transparent in announcing the real figures on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases from the public.

"Hindi tayo nagtago ng kahit anong information simula umpisa. Naging transparent kami,” DOH Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an interview on Unang Balita.

“Nagkataon po na dito sa panahon na ito, lumabas ang mga kaso natin,” she added.

On January 31, the DOH confirmed the first case of COVID-19. On February 2, the second case was reported, and on February 5, the DOH announced the third case. All three were Chinese nationals. One of them died.

This March, DOH confirmed two new cases of COVID-19 infection on Friday, followed by the announcement of the sixth case on Saturday then another four new cases on Sunday.

In total, at least 10 COVID-19 cases were reported in the Philippines.

Vergeire attributed the sudden increase of confirmed cases to the entry of travelers to the country.

"May mga nakapasok ng ating bansa na nakahawa po ng ating kababayan. At ‘yung iba naman ng ating kababayan na nakapunta sa ibang lugar na tumataas ang kaso. Pagbalik nila rito nakuha na nila ang sakit na ito," she said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News