MANILA, Philippines — A third person infected with COVID-19 has “recovered”, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday night.
DOH said “PH14”, the first Filipino who has recovered from the respiratory illness, is a 46-year-old male. He showed signs of infection – cough, and fever – last February 25, admitted to the Makati Medical Center on March 5. His test results turned out positive for COVID-19 on March 9.
The patient is now asymptomatic, according to DOH, as he has tested negative twice for COVID-19 before being discharged from the hospital.
“While this is a very welcome development, there is no reason for us to be complacent. In order to contain the virus, we may also extend community quarantine to other areas of the country,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a statement.
“We need the public to cooperate with us now more than ever, and serve as our partners in ensuring that the spread of COVID-19 is put to a halt. Let us all act fast, and act now,” he added.
The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic since it has already infected more than 160,000 people and killed over 6,000 in over 140 countries all over the world. To date, the Philippines has 142 people infected with COVID-19, including 12 deaths.