The Philippines has recorded nine new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the total number to 33.
The Department of Health (DOH) clarified that the new 11 cases announced earlier today are new positive samples, not cases.
“Upon verification, DOH reported that two of the new positive samples received by the Epidemiology Bureau (EB) of DOH are repeat tests on samples taken from cases Ph7 and Ph8,” DOH ASec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
All of them are admitted in various hospitals including Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center Quezon City, The Medical City, and New Clark City Quarantine Facility.
The DOH also confirmed that among the cases, two (cases 25 and 26) are Filipino repatriates from the Diamond Princess. The health department added that the first reported new seven cases are stable, except for the elderly ones in guarded condition.
“Buhay pa ho sila. (They are alive) ‘Yung (The) 62-year-old male at (and) 86-year-old male, sila po pareho ay guarded ang condition (both their conditions are guarded ). Ibig sabihin (Which means), because of ibang karamdaman na nakasama sa kanyang pagkakaroon ng COVID-19 (because of other illnesses that went with COVID-19), ay medyo kritikal ang lagay nila sa ngayon at binabantayang maigi sa aming referral hospitals (they are now slightly in critical condition and being closely monitored by our referral hospitals),” Vergeire shared.
Meanwhile, the DOH explained the proper time to implement localized lockdown.
“Dumadating po tayo sa punto ng lockdown (we get to the point of lockdown) when you are already in Code Red Alert Sub Level 2, kapag meron na ho tayong sustained community transmission (when we have a sustained community transmission). Diyan na ho papasok itong stratehiyang ito na pwede nating i-employ (That is when this strategy comes in and employed,” Vergeire explained.
ASec. Vergeire said they will be sitting down with LRT officials on how commuters observe the one-meter social distancing while commuting, and said there is no need for companies to shut down in the event that one of their employees tests positive for COVID-19.
The DOH reminded the public to be responsible citizens amid the COVID-19 outbreak, while they are conducting comprehensive contact tracing activities for all cases. – Report from Mark Fetalco
