Philippine COVID-19 cases climb to 307 with 77 new ones, but 4 elderlies recover

The Philippines on Saturday reported 77 new cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), bringing the total to 307.

At a press conference, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire also reported that the death toll due to the virus has climbed to 19.

Data from the Department of Health showed that the newest fatality, patient 205, is a 73-year-old Filipina from San Juan City with no travel or exposure history.

She died on March 12 before testing positive of the COVID-19 due to cardiac arrest. The patient was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on March 18.

Five additional individuals, meanwhile, have recovered from the virus, bringing the total to 13 patients who recovered.

"Meron po tayong limang recoveries at apat po sa kanila ay nakakatanda," Vergeire said.

"[I]to po ay napaka-laking gift para sa ating lahat na ibigay na nakarinig po tayo na may naka-recover po na ating mga kababayan at sila po ay kasama sa vulnerable population natin," she added.

Recoveries

Patient 62 is a 35-year-old Filipina from Rizal with no travel or exposure history. She was discharged on March 15.

Patient 41 is a 75-year-old Filipina from Makati City with travel history from the United States and exposure to confirmed COVID-19 cases. She was discharged on Tuesday.

Patient 16 is a 70-year-old Filipino from San Juan City. He is the husband of patient 17 and was discharged on Thursday.

Patient 17 is a 69-year-old Filipina from San Juan City who is the wife of patient 16. She was also discharged on Thursday.

Patient 49 is a 72-year-old Filipino from Batangas with exposure history to a confirmed case. He was discharged on Saturday.

The health undersecretary also reminded the public to remain indoors amid the enhanced community quarantine to curb the spread of the virus.

"'Yun lang po ay malaking tulong na sa ating layunin na masugpo ang COVID-19," she said. 

As of 4 p.m. Saturday, there are 570 persons under investigation and 6,321 persons under monitoring for possible COVID-19 infection in the country.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,399 tests have been conducted so far. Of the number, 656 have tested negative and 432 cases have pending results. -MDM, GMA News