THE number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases rose to 5,660 on Thursday with 237 new cases reported by the Department of Health.
The death toll also rose to 362 with the addition of 13 fatalities, while the number of recoveries is now at 435, with 82 added on Thursday.
The disease that originated in China has spread to 210 countries and territories since its outbreak in December last year, infecting at least 1.9 million individuals and killing some 123,000 persons, according to the World Health Organization.
In the Southeast Asian region, the Philippines ranks first among countries with COVID-19 transmission with 5,223 cases. At close second is former leader, Malaysia, which now has 4,987 cases, followed by Singapore at third spot with 3,252 cases.
The DOH, in a briefer, said the increased number of recoveries is due to the inclusion of those who were under self-isolation and home quarantine.
“We have enhanced our monitoring efforts (of those outside hospitals),” said Dr. Beverly Ho, special assistant to the Secretary of Health, adding the recovery count in the DOH tracker now includes those cured outside medical facilities as they are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms only.
The Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID) said there is still no “magic” drug that can cure COVID-19, and all reported recoveries were still due to supportive care provided by medical professionals.
“As of now, it remains supportive care as the standard of care for COVID-19 patients. We ensure that they are well hydrated, given paracetamol when they have fever, antibiotics if they have pneumonia, and if they have comorbidities, we also monitor them closely,” said PSMID president Dr. Marissa Alejandria,, amid claims circulating online that a cure has been found.
“We still don’t have that magic drug or an effective cure that has been studied and has been established as effective and safe for COVID-19,” she said.
“Everything else, they remain investigational, off label. There remains no registered, effective drug or vaccine for COVID-19. All of those are still undergoing research or clinical trials,” she said.
FILIPINOS ABROAD
The Department of Foreign Affairs said 15 more Filipinos abroad died of COVID-19, bringing the number of fatalities to 103.
“There were 18 new recoveries and 15 new deaths that were reported in the Americas since yesterday ” the DFA said.
Overall, 757 Filipinos in 41 countries were infected with the virus since its outbreak, with 414 are still undergoing treatment.
A total of 240 have recovered from the virus.
Americas and Europe remained the most deadly region for Filipinos infected with the virus, with 64 and 33 deaths, respectively, although Europe has more cases at 237 compared to 158 in the Americas.
The PNP said four more policemen have tested positive for COVID-19, increasing the number of personnel infected with the virus to 59.
Three of them have died while eight have recovered.
Policemen are in the frontline, limiting the movement of people to prevent the further spread of the virus.
HOSPITALS
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said charges will be filed against the management and personnel of six hospitals in Cabanatuan City, who reportedly declined to admit an asthmatic senior citizen who later died in his home, for lack or facilities in their intensive care unit.
Guevarra said he has directed the National Bureau of Investigation to submit to his office within “10 days or until April 24” the results of its investigation.
It will be recalled that President Duterte on Tuesday mentioned the death of the senior citizen, after his daughter, Girlie Cabling Cagaoan, aired what happened to his father to the media, in his address to the nation last Monday where he warned hospitals not to turned away patients.
Cagaoan earlier said the first hospital where they brought her father, who complained of breathing difficulty, told them they have no available room in their ICU. The same thing happened in the other hospitals, prompting his father to ask them to just bring him home. Hours later, the father died.
Guevarra said he instructed the NBI to conduct an investigation a day after Duterte mentioned the incident in his address.
“If shown to be true, the hospital personnel involved may be charged with violation of Republic Act 8344, an act penalizing the refusal of hospitals to administer initial medical treatment in emergency cases, as strengthened by Republic Act 10932 (act strengthening the anti-hospital deposit law,” Guevarra said.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said DOH reminded hospitals and medical facilities to continue providing essential health services to the public despite the difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Health facilities, such as rural/city health centers, satellite health centers, birthing centers, treatment hubs, and infirmaries providing essential health services must remain open despite the enhanced community quarantine,” said Vergeire.
She cited provisions of DOH Department Circular No. 2020-0167, which states that hospitals and other medical facilities must continue providing essential health services despite the pandemic. — With Ashzel Hachero and Victor Reyes
