BREAKING: PH now has 230 people infected with COVID-19; 18 deaths

The number of people infected with coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 in the country increased to 230 as of Friday noon, March 20, the health department said.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), 13 more persons have been found positive for the highly contagious respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2.

Health Undersecretary Rosette Vergeire also said one more patient died from COVID-19, bringing the total count 18 also as of March 20.

The patient (PH124) who died was a 65-year-old Filipino male from Quezon City who has a travel history to Singapore.

DOH said he died last Tuesday, March 17.

The entire island of Luzon remains under “enhanced community quarantine” while the whole country has been placed under state of calamity.

READ: Luzon now under ‘enhanced community quarantine’ – Palace

READ: Duterte: Philippines now under state of calamity due to COVID-19

The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic since it has already infected more than 244,500 people and killed more than 10,000, mostly in China, Italy, and Iran. On the other hand, 86,000 people have recovered so far, mostly in China, from the disease.

People who have COVID-19 could recover since for most people its symptoms were mild like fever and cough. But the illness could also be lethal for others and possibly lead to pneumonia, especially for older adults and those with existing health problems.

The United Nations has warned that the crisis could lead to the loss of nearly 25 million jobs around the world.