Covid-19 cases rise to 64

(File photo)
(File photo)

TWELVE new cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) were recorded by the Department of Health (DOH) on Friday night, March 13, bringing the country’s total to 64.

In a statement, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said they were able to confirm Patients 53 to 64 as being positive of Covid-19.

“For those who are confirmed cases, please let our hospitals take care of you. Studies show that chances of recovery are high. Let us take it upon ourselves to protect our family and our community’s health and well-being,” Duque said.

Patient 53 is a 30-year-old Filipino male with his travel history still up for validation, and is now admitted at The Medical City.

Patient 54 is a 40-year-old Filipino male with no travel history, and is now admitted at Ortigas Hospital and Healthcare Center.

Patient 55 is a 59-year-old female currently admitted at Cardinal Santos Medical Center.

Patient 56 is a 41-year-old male currently admitted at St Luke’s Medical Center - Global City.

Patient 57 is a 65-year-old male currently admitted at The Medical City.

Patient 58 is a 45-year-old Filipino female with no travel history, and is now admitted at The Medical City.

Patient 59 is a 27-year-old male currently admitted at Makati Medical Center.

Patient 60 is a 49-year-old male currently admitted at St Luke’s Medical Center - Global City.

Patient 61 is a 70-year-old female currently admitted at University of the East - Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center.

Patient 62 is a 35-year-old female currently admitted at Ortigas Hospital and Healthcare Center.

Patient 63 is a 33-year-old Filipino male currently admitted at Marikina Valley Medical Center.

Patient 64 is a 32-year-old male currently admitted at Bataan St Joseph Hospital and Medical Center.

The health chief said they have already deployed surveillance teams, in cooperation with concerned Local Government Units, to conduct extensive information-gathering and contact tracing activities on the new cases.

“We continually ask the public to cooperate and help us in the investigation and contact tracing activities. Please contact DOH and call the designated hotline at (02) 8-651-7800 loc 1149-1150 for any new leads,” he said.

‘Vulnerable’ elderlies

And with four of the five Covid-19 fatalities aged over 50 years old, the DOH urged the elderly and with pre-existing medical conditions to be extra cautious.

The DOH noted how elderly people (average of 66 years) and those with underlying medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease, and immunosuppression are found to be more vulnerable to the disease.

“We further urge those who are immunocompromised and are with existing health conditions to be more vigilant and avoid crowded areas and mass gatherings,” said Duque.

To recall, Patient 5 is a 62-year-old Filipino, while Patient 6 is 59-year-old Filipina.

Meanwhile, Patient 35 is a 67-year old Filipina, while Patient 37 is an 88-year-old Filipina.

Only Patient 2, a 44-year-old Chinese male, is below 50 years old among the COVID-19 fatalities in the country.

Hoarding

The health chief similarly appealed to the public to stop hoarding basic commodities, particularly hygiene and sanitation product, amid reports of panic buying.

“It does not help us fight off Covid-19. Realize that when you hoard, you are being part of the problem by denying the rest of your fellowmen the means to protect themselves,” said Duque.

People began trooping to supermarkets and retail stores after President Duterte’s order for a community quarantine for Metro Manila as a consequence to the raising of Code Red Sub-level 2.

The raising of Code Red Sub-level 2 was the decision arrived at by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IAFT-EID) that is headed by the DOH amid the growing threat of the Covid-19.

And according to Duque, they are fully behind Duterte’s decision to impose a community quarantine in Metro Manila.

“The decision to implement a community quarantine was made in the best interest of the public. I enjoin everyone—young and old—to cooperate fully with our government,” said Duque. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

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