DOH: Coronavirus cases in PH leap to 501

MANILA, Philippines — The confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines has soared to 501 as of Tuesday morning, the Department of Health (DOH) announced.

“501 COVID-19 positive cases, 19 recoveries, 33 deaths,” Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said in a text message to INQUIRER.net.

There were 462 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 33 deaths as of Monday afternoon.

COVID-19, which was declared a pandemic by WHO, is caused by a coronavirus – SARS-CoV-2.

It is related to the virus that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome but is not as deadly, with a three percent mortality rate.

The World Health Organization said 80 percent of patients experience mild illness and eventually recover from the disease, while some 14 percent experience severe illness and five percent get critically ill.

The virus is spread through droplets from the nose or mouth.

Health authorities are urging the public to practice frequent hand washing, cover their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and avoid close contact with those exhibiting signs and symptoms of the illness symptoms to prevent infection.

GSG