Philippines records biggest COVID-19 cases increase in single day, total reaches 307
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E-mail Xinhua, March 21, 2020
MANILA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The Department of Health of the Philippines reported on Saturday 77 more positive cases for COVID-19, the biggest single-day jump in the number of the coronavirus cases in the country.
That brings the total number of the confirmed cases in the country to 307.
The government urged people to stay at home to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire also reported that another COVID-19 patient has died, bringing the total number of deaths to 19, adding that five more patients have recovered from the viral disease, bringing the total number of recoveries to 13.
The Philippines has imposed a strict quarantine measure across main island of Luzon, including Metro Manila, as a precautionary measure to limit the spread of COVID-19. The country is also accelerating its COVID-19 testing capacity by setting up more laboratories in Luzon and in the central and southern Philippines.
Once increased testing capacity is in place, the Department of Health said testing of mild cases and patients under investigation can resume.
Vergeire earlier said the Philippines has so far tested 1,000 patients since the onset of the disease.
Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said that the government has identified at least 125 evacuation centers in Luzon that can be converted into health facilities to treat COVD-19 patients.
Villar said in a statement that "110 evacuation centers have been completed with access to both power and water. We are now facilitating power and water connection to an additional 15 evacuation centers."
Villar said they are also looking at similar facilities in the central and southern Philippines.
On Saturday, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian handed over China's donation of 100,000 test kits, 10,000 sets of medical protective equipment, 100,000 surgical masks and 10,000 N95 masks to Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin.
The Chinese donation is expected to boost the Philippines' fight against the viral disease. Enditem
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