News Roundup 27 March 2020
Mar 27, 2020 • 1 min Read
AFP chief tests positive for COVID-19 | INQUIRER.NET – Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. has tested positive for coronavirus, Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana said Friday. Lorenzana himself is now under quarantine after he found out Friday morning about Santos’ test results.
Officials deny rumors of total, extended lockdown amid COVID-19 threat | PHILSTAR.COM – Officials on Friday denied that the government is imposing a total lockdown nor an expanded nationwide lockdown next week. The Presidential Security Group said circulating messages on a supposed “total lockdown” from March 28 to April 15 is false. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles also nixed rumors that there will be military control starting next week, lockdown will be extended for another 60 days, and that public markets, including Divisoria, are closing.
DOH reports 707 COVID-19 cases | Manila Bulletin – Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a press briefing on Thursday that 71 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded, bringing the country’s total to 707 cases. The death toll also jumped to 45, after the death of seven more COVID-19 patients. “Kami po ay sadyang nakikiramay sa mga pamilyang naulila ng ating mga yumaong kababayan,” said Duque. (“We are extending our condolences to the bereaved families of our deceased countrymen.”) Meanwhile, two more patients have recovered from the dreaded disease, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 28.
Red Cross launches Covid-19 hotline | The Manila Times –THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has set up a hotline to assist persons with concerns about the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). People with questions about the disease can dial PRC’s dedicated Covid-19 hotline 1158. Since its inception last week, the hotline has attended to 128 calls. Most of the calls were queries about Covid-19 symptoms and when to seek treatment or hospitalization.
