Philippines reports 2 more COVID-19 cases; total rises to 142

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday night reported two new cases of the 2019 coronavirus disease or COVID-19, bringing the total infections in the country to 142.

DOH has yet to provide other details on the two new COVID-19 patients except that one of them is a 63-year-old male and the other is a 50-year-old male.

DOH said the nationality, travel history, and date of admission, etc. of the two individuals are still up for “validation.”

Meanwhile, DOH also said 12 of the 142 persons infected with COVID-19 have already died while a total of three have already recovered.

COVID-19, now considered by the World Health Organization as a pandemic, has infected more than 160,000 people – killed 6,000 – in over 140 different countries and territories, including China where the virus originated.

The virus causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people but experts said older adults with preexisting health conditions were more vulnerable to the coronavirus, particularly those aged over 60-years-old.

To prevent infection, authorities are urging people to practice regular hand washing, cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and avoid close contact with those who show respiratory symptoms.

KGA