ALMOST 300 new cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), four new fatalities, and 90 more patients who have recovered were reported on Sunday by the Department of Health.
Based on the latest DOH bulletin, there were 9,223 COVID-19 cases as of Sunday (up from 8,928 on Saturday), a total of 607 deaths, and 1,214 recovered patients.
The disease that emerged in China late last year has spread to 215 countries and territories and has infected some 3.3 million persons and killed at least 272,000 individuals, according to records of the World Health Organization as of May 2.
In the Western Pacific Region, the Philippines ranks fifth among countries with COVID-19 after China, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea.
Among Filipinos abroad, 10 more were infected with COVID-19, bringing total to 1,751. The death toll rose by three, and is now at 210, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
There were five more recoveries, for a total of 471.
Of the 1,751 infected Filipinos in 46 countries, 1,070 are undergoing treatment.
The Americas remained the most deadly place for infected Filipinos with 120 deaths followed by Europe with 70 while the Middle East and Africa have 18 and Asia and the Pacific region has two.
A fourth Senate employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said her chief legislative officer, Jaye dela Cruz Bekema told her she was positive on April 30, or five days before she had a miscarriage.
Hontiveros said Bekema has been on self-quarantine since the start of the enhanced community quarantine on March 17 and has not been to the Senate since March 9.
“I was very sad when she informed me on 25 April that she had lost her baby at 18 weeks, and sad again and shocked when she notified us 5 days after that she had tested positive for COVID-19,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
The three other Senate employees who have contracted the disease are a consultant and a staff member of Sen. Pia Cayetano, and a staff member of Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr.
Last Saturday, Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara announced he tested positive of COVID-19 anew after he underwent swab testing as he was to donate his blood plasma for the second time.
Two other senators have been infected — majority Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, who have both recovered. — With Ashzel Hachero and Raymond Africa
