Philippines’ COVID-19 death toll rises to 107; cases now 2,633

April 3 ------ The Philippines’ death toll from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continued to climb on Thursday to 107 after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 11 more fatalities as Luzon marked its third week on lockdown. In a virtual press conference, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also confirmed 322 more cases, bringing the total number of infections nationwide to 2,633.

Meanwhile, the number of people who have recovered from the respiratory illness likewise rose to 51 one more patient was discharged from hospital. The DOH earlier explained that the country’s increased testing capacity fueled the surge of COVID-19 cases that started in March after several sub-national laboratories became operational.

Western Visayas

Duque announced that the Western Visayas Medical Center received certification to conduct independent COVID-19 testing on Wednesday. This brings the number of laboratories in Visayas conducting COVID-19 testing to two and the accredited testing centers nationwide to eight. Duque also said that 1,275 people have so far tested negative for COVID-19, while DOH data show that there are 1,154 persons under investigation and 6,321 others under monitoring for possible infection.

A total of 4,344 people have been tested for the disease as of Thursday afternoon.

Source: gmanetwork.com