COVID-19 patient in serious condition takes up to 6 weeks to recover —Duque

A patient infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) needs up to six weeks to recover, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Sunday.

This explains the slow increase in the number of COVID-19 patients in reports.

“Marami na rin. Ang sabi ko, gamitin itong pagtatala na lagyan ng mga naka-recover para mabalanse,” Duque said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV aired on GMA News TV.

“Dapat lang sigurong malaman ng taong-bayan na hindi rin basta basta mabilisang masasabi na recovered na dahil ang serious na kaso ay three hanggang six na linggo ang recovery period. So matagal,” he added.

Duque III: Marami na rin. Mayroon na ring mga naka-recover.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 14, 2020

Duque explained that even if a patient is in good condition, they cannot declare the case as recovered until the test turns up negative.

On Saturday, the DOH confirmed 13 additional COVID-19 cases in the country, bringing the total to 111.

Duque said that 80-82% of the patients experience no symptoms or if ever they do, these are mild.

The remaining 15% of COVID-19 patients have moderate to severe symptoms.

Only three to five percent suffer from serious symptoms, he said. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News