PH records 707 COVID-19 cases, 45 deaths; Angara tests positive

The Philippines reported 707 confirmed coronavirus cases and 45 deaths as of March 26, 2020, with 71 new cases and 7 additional fatalities.

Two more patients have recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 28.

Senator Sonny Angara tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the third senator to contract the virus after Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Aquilino Pimentel III.

Angara took the test on March 16 and received his results on March 26, stating he had limited his movement since that date.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed an act granting himself 30 special powers to manage the increasing number of coronavirus cases, which was enacted past midnight on Wednesday.

Several private hospitals in Metro Manila announced they could no longer accept COVID-19 patients as they had reached maximum capacity.

Luzon will be on lockdown until April 12, and Metro Manila until April 14, unless ended earlier or prolonged based on the outbreak situation.