DOH Confirms Two New Cases of COVID-19

The Department of Health (DOH) on March 6 has confirmed two new cases of patients infected with novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Philippines, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the country to five.

In a press conference, the DOH identified the fourth case as a 62-year-old male patient in a hospital in San Juan. According to the DOH, the patient had frequently visited a Muslim prayer hall before being diagnosed with the illness.

The fifth case is a 48-year-old Filipino whose travel history included Japan.

The DOH and the Philippine National Police are working round-the-clock to trace people who might have come in contact with confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The Philippines is the first country outside China to have recorded a death caused by COVID-19. Prior to today’s announcement, the Philippines had three confirmed cases of the COVID-19, all of whom are tourists from China. Of the first three cases, two patients have recovered.