PEDIATRICIAN Salvacion “Sally” Gatchalian died early Thursday morning, March 26, from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Gatchalian, president of the Philippine Pediatric Society, passed away around 6 a.m. Thursday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III told radio station dzMM.

Television host Ruby Rodriguez, sister of Gatchalian, also confirmed her sister’s death in an Instagram post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-LWkINn2gs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading

At least five other Filipino doctors had died from Covid-19 -- cardiologists Israel Bactol and Raul Jara, anesthesiologist Greg Macasaet, oncologist Rose Pulido and Pampanga provincial health officer Marcelo Jaochico.

The Department of Health reported 636 confirmed cases in the Philippines as of Wednesday, March 25. Thirty-eight patients had died while 26 have recovered. (MVI/SunStar Philippines)