Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire
MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday reported 77 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), bringing to 307 the total number in the Philippines.
"Based on our latest test results, there are 77 additional positive cases today. The total number of Covid-19 cases as of 4 p.m. is 307," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a press conference.
She also reported one more death caused by Covid-19, bringing the death toll to 19 as of March 21.
Patient 205, a 73-year-old Filipina from San Juan City, was pronounced dead on arrival on March 12 but was only confirmed Covid-19-positive on March 18.
Meanwhile, Vergeire advised the public to remain vigilant on drugs that could reportedly cure Covid-19, such as chloroquine.
"Chloroquine is an off-label drug, meaning it is used for another purpose. This is an anti-malarial drug and it has side effects that's why we advise the public to source verified information only," she said in Filipino.
She said chloroquine cannot be used as prophylaxis or a preventive treatment against a viral disease like Covid-19.
"Ang ating payo ay mag-ingat po sa mga gamot na puwedeng gamitin o hindi gamitin. Ang mga gamot na ito ay ibinibigay with the adequate guidance po ng ating mga doctor bago ito magamit (Our advice to the public is to take caution about medicine that can be or cannot be used. These drugs should be administered with the adequate guidance of our doctors)," she said. (PNA)
