DOH confirms 52 COVID-19 cases, 2 deaths in PH

The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed 52 COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, including three new cases announced on Thursday, March 12.

The new cases include a 69-year-old female from Quezon City, a 26-year-old male from Quezon City, and a 79-year-old female with UK travel history.

The country's 35th case, a 67-year-old Filipina, has died due to severe pneumonia and COVID-19, marking the second death in the Philippines and the first Filipino fatality.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III urged the public to cooperate with contact tracing activities and advised those with mild symptoms and exposure history to self-isolate.

He emphasized that individuals with severe symptoms need immediate admission to health facilities and stressed the importance of personal responsibility for health.

Duque reiterated that the elderly and individuals with underlying medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, are vulnerable to the virus.