— With Raymond Africa, Christian Oineza, and Reuters
THE country now has almost 1,500 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, with 343 reported on Sunday, along with three new deaths and seven new recoveries.
The Department of Health said that as of 4 p.m. Sunday, there were 1,418 COVID-19 cases, 71 fatalities, and 42 recoveries.
Worldwide, COVID-19 has infected at least 662,750 persons in 203 countries and territories and killed at least 30,751 people.
The three new fatalities in the country are patients (PH) 859 (70 years old), PH 900 (71), and PH 718 (78). All three are Filipinos with no travel history.
The new recoveries are PH 204 (32 years old), PH 358 (35), PH 135 (13), PH 122 (41), PH 114 (35), PH 109 (44), and PH 88 (33).
All seven are Filipinos. Six have no travel history, while one came from Japan.
One of the fatalities is a staff member of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
In his Facebook account, Revilla said: “I lost my staff and friend of almost 30 years to this COVID-19 this (Sunday) afternoon. I ask everyone for prayers especially para sa kanyang iniwang mga mahal sa buhay (for his loved ones whom he left).”
Revilla said he learned on Monday last week that his staff member was brought to a hospital due to pneumonia, and that he tested positive on Thursday also last week.
Last Friday, Senate secretary Myra Villarica said two more Senate employees tested positive for the virus, including the staff member of Revilla and a consultant to Sen. Pia Cayetano.
Villarica said Revilla’s staff member last reported for work on March 9 and went back to the Senate on March 16 to claim his salary.
Three senators have tested positive — majority leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Aquilino Pimentel III, and Juan Edgardo Angara.
In Mandaluyong City, Mayor Menchie Abalos will undergo self-quarantine after contact tracing showed she may have been exposed to COVID-positive individuals.
Alex Sta. Maria, city health officer, said Abalos is asymptomatic.
“I advised her to undergo home quarantine and will be monitored by our health personnel,” Sta. Maria added.
Among other mayors undergoing self quarantine in are Francis Zamora of San Juan and Joric Gacula of Taytay, Rizal.
