12 new COVID-19 cases reported, total hits 64: DOH

March 14, 2020

Twelve new cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been recorded by the Department of Health (DOH) Friday night, bringing the country's total to 64.

In a statement, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said they were able to confirm Patients 53 to 64 as being positive of COVID-19. 

"For those who are confirmed cases, please let our hospitals take care of you. Studies show that chances of recovery are high. Let us take it upon ourselves to protect our family and our community’s health and well-being,” Duque said.

Patient 53 is a 30-year-old man with his travel history still being validated, and is at The Medical City. 

Patient 54 is a 40-year-old man with no travel history, and is at the Ortigas Hospital and Healthcare Center. 

Patient 55 is a 59-year-old woman at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center. 

Patient 56 is a 41-year-old man at St Luke's Medical Center - Global City. 

Patient 57 is a 65-year-old man admitted at The Medical City. 

Patient 58 is a 45-year-old woman with no travel history, and is at The Medical City. 

Patient 59 is a 27-year-old man at the Makati Medical Center. 

Patient 60 is a 49-year-old man at St Luke's Medical Center - Global City. 

Patient 61 is a 70-year-old woman admitted at the University of the East - Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center. 

Patient 62 is a 35-year-old woman at the Ortigas Hospital and Healthcare Center. 

Patient 63 is a 33-year-old man at the Marikina Valley Medical Center. 

Patient 64 is a 32-year-old man at Bataan St Joseph Hospital and Medical Center. 

"We continually ask the public to cooperate and help us in the investigation and contact tracing activities. Please contact DOH and call the designated hotline at (02) 8-651-7800 loc 1149-1150 for any new leads," Duque said. 

And with four of the five COVID-19 fatalities aged over 50 years old, DOH urged elderly and with pre-existing medical conditions to be extra cautious. 

The DOH noted how elderly people (average of 66 years) and those with underlying medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease, and immunosuppression are found to be more vulnerable. 

“We further urge those who are immuno-compromised and are with existing health conditions to be more vigilant and avoid crowded areas and mass gatherings,” said Duque. 

Duque appealed to the public to stop hoarding basic commodities, particularly hygiene and sanitation product, amid reports of panic buying. 

"It does not help us fight off COVID-19. Realize that when you hoard, you are being part of the problem by denying the rest of your fellowmen the means to protect themselves,” said Duque. 

People began trooping to supermarkets and retail stores after President Rodrigo Duterte’s order for a community quarantine for Metro Manila as a consequence to the raising of Code Red Sub-level 2. 

The raising of Code Red Sub-level 2 was the decision arrived at by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IAFT-EID) that is headed by the DOH amid the growing threat of the COVID-19. DMS