Coronavirus cases continue to accelerate

THE Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday, May 7, announced 339 new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in the Philippines.

Based on the DOH bulletin at 4 p.m. Thursday, there are now 10,343 people infected with the novel coronavirus, which causes Covid-19.

The DOH also reported 27 additional mortalities, bringing the death toll to 685.

The number of patients who have recovered went up to 1,618, with 112 reported in the last 24 hours.

In a May 6 Beat Covid-19 virtual presser, epidemiologist John Wong said there will be a surge in cases once the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is lifted.

“When we relax the ECQ, we will see another surge of cases,” he said.

Wong, a member of the Inter-Agency Task Force’s (IATF) sub-technical working group on data analytics, stressed the importance of complying with mitigation measures.

““Right now, we are protecting each other by self-quarantining at home. We have to remember that we have to protect ourselves, protect our families, and protect each other by observing a one-meter distance, washing our hands, and wearing protective equipment,” he said. (SunStar Philippines)