THE number of confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the country rose to 2,633, with 322 more cases reported Thursday, April 2.
The Department of Health (DOH) also announced 11 more deaths, bringing the mortality count to 107, while only one patient was added to the list of those who have recovered from the disease.
The DOH has not yet released the patients' profile, but DOH Secretary Francisco Duque said that aside from these cases, the agency has also recorded 1,275 patients under investigation (PUIs) who have tested negative for Covid-19.
He again appealed to the public to stay at home, observe physical distancing and proper handwashing to help stop the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country.
Duque also announced Thursday, April 2, that the DOH is set to distribute more personal protective equipment (PPEs) to government hospitals.
He reassured the health workers that aside from the initial 15,000 PPEs, about 885,000 sets are still expected to arrive.
"We already have 15,000 PPEs being distributed today by the Office of Civil Defense," Duque said.
Among those who received the PPEs were the AFP Medical Center (1,100 PPEs), East Avenue Medical Center (770), San Lazaro Hospital (2,780), Lung Center of the Philippies (2,800), Philippine General Hospitaal (2,000) and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital (2,590).
Duque added that the DOH is making arrangements for the transport of the 885,000 remaining PPEs.
"We are currently using a C130 plane to transport these PPEs, and one flight can accommodate 15,000 PPEs. The team is trying to arrange for a bigger plane to transport the PPEs to health care workers faster. We are working with the aviation industry to see what can be done," he said.
He also said Thursday that he earlier made rounds in some designated Covid-19 referral centers and quarantine facilities like the Lung Center of the Philippines, Dr. Jose N. Rodriquez Memorial Hospital, and Quezon Institute "to engage with hospital management and health care workers and volunteers, and to assess the public health sector's capacity to treat Covid-19 patients."
He vowed to continue to monitor the situation in other hospitals and see how the agency can beef up the country's response to Covid-19. (LMY/With PR)