News Roundup 04 June 2020
Jun 04, 2020 • 3 min Read
COVID-19 cases in Philippines surpass 20,000 with nearly 1,000 deaths | PHILSTAR.COM – The tally of confirmed coronavirus disease cases in the Philippines passed 20,000 Thursday, more than four months after health authorities first detected an infection in the country. The grim milestone came after Metro Manila—the epicenter of the nation’s outbreak—began emerging from one of the world’s longest coronavirus lockdowns. The Department of Health reported Thursday 634 new COVID-19 infections, pushing the country’s case tally to 20,382. Of the additional cases, 313 were classified “fresh,” while 321 were “late” cases from the agency’s testing backlog. Nearly half of the fresh cases were recorded in the capital region, while 32% were from Central Visayas. Under the new reporting system, fresh cases are those whose test results were validated by the DOH in the last three days, while late cases are those whose results were released to patients four days ago or more but were just recently confirmed. Ninety-five more patients have survived the disease, bringing the number of COVID-19 survivors to 4,248. But the DOH logged 10 new deaths related to the severe respiratory illness, raising the fatality count to 984.
Groups protest Anti-Terror Bill passage at UP rally despite quarantine INQUIRER.NET – Various organizations staged a protest Thursday in Quezon City, calling for the junking of the Anti-Terror Bill. Led by groups like Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Anakbayan and Kilusang Mayo Uno, demonstrators were able to hold rallies at various areas in the University of the Philippines-Diliman (UP Diliman) campus despite the prevailing general community quarantine. The controversial proposed measure is now up for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature as the House of Representatives adopted Wednesday night the Senate’s version of the bill. The Senate approved the proposed law in February. Duterte has certified as urgent the approval of the Anti-Terror Bill even as the country grapples the COVID-19 crisis. And since the House approved the bill rejecting all suggested amendments and merely embracing the Senate version, there is no longer a need for a bicameral conference.
Parañaque City Mayor Olivarez appeals to BID to deport four arrested Chinese nationals | Manila Bulletin – Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez urged the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) to sue and deport the four Chinese nationals who were arrested by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for operating an underground clinic at a posh subdivision that was raided last week. Olivarez also asked the National Capital Region Police Office for the deployment of policemen inside Multinational Village after learning that some security guards supposedly helped the suspects bringing in personal protective equipment and medical supplies.
Asymptomatic persons may transmit Covid — DoH | The Manila Times – The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) may be transmitted by asymptomatic individuals or those who do not show signs of infection, the Department of Health (DoH) said on Thursday. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said evidence on the virus was “evolving” as scientists grapple with its properties. “We all know that Covid-19 is a new virus so we always say that this virus is evolving — we gather this new evidence today then tomorrow there will be another set of evidence [contradicting the previous ones],” Vergeire said in a virtual press briefing. “That’s why we need to continuously learn and must be on guard for the new evidence to come out.”
