Duque says Philippines joining WHO global drive for COVID-19 cure

April 2, 2020

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Thursday that the Philippines will be joining the global effort to find a cure for COVID-19.

In a press briefing, Duque said the Philippines will be participating in the World Health Organization (WHO) initiative called "Solidarity Trial".

He made this announcement as total deaths from COVID-19 in the Phlippines breached 100, settling at 107. Confirmed cases reached 2,633 while 51 patients recovered.

Duque said  Marissa Alejandria of the Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Disease will serve as the country's representative.

Duque said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire will serve as the official liason of the Department of Health ( DOH) to WHO's "Solidarity Trial".

The "Solidarity Trial" seeks to compare the safety and effectiveness of four different drugs or drug combinations against COVID-19 with more than 45 countries expected to participate in the trial. DMS