Duterte stays in Metro Manila amid COVID-19 quarantine

President Duterte will remain in Metro Manila to supervise government efforts during the month-long community quarantine of the National Capital Region (NCR) over the coronavirus outbreak.

Duterte rejected his partner Honeylet Avanceña's request to return to Davao City, stating that 'the face of the country is Manila and the President had to be here.'

The President plans to hold daily meetings with the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease to assess the situation.

The Department of Health reported 52 confirmed cases in the Philippines, with five deaths and two recoveries as of Thursday.

The global outbreak has resulted in around 4,900 deaths and 130,000 infections, prompting the WHO to declare it a pandemic.

President Duterte had himself tested for COVID-19 after some of his Cabinet members went on self-quarantine following exposure to patients.

The President was 'okay' after his test, with results to be released publicly after 48 hours.