THE Department of Health (DOH) reported 90 new cases (PH463-552) of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on Tuesday, bringing the total number of infected to 552.
As of 4 p.m. March 24, the DOH also announced two new recoveries and two deaths. There are now 20 recoveries and 35 deaths.
The DOH said the 19th recovery is PH130. She is a 21-year-old Filipino female from Davao de Oro with travel history from the United Kingdom and Qatar.
Onset of symptoms was felt on March 3; she was confirmed positive for the virus on March 15. She was discharged on March 23. She was asymptomatic with one negative result. She has bronchial asthma.
A 76-year-old Filipino female (PH87) is the 20th recovery from Quezon City. She was exposed to a known Covid-19 case.
Symptoms began on February 25; she was confirmed positive on March 14 but was discharged on March 22. She was asymptomatic with one negative result. She has hypertension and diabetes.
Meanwhile, DOH said the two additional deaths were two elderly people:
■ 71-year-old Filipino male (PH215—34th PH death) from Quezon City
■ 76-year old Filipino male (PH239—35th) PH death from Cavite
TB patients
Meanwhile, to ensure their safety, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III urged Filipinos undergoing treatment for active tuberculosis (TB) disease to get their free medicines good for one month instead of going to the health facility.
“Those with TB are at higher risk of getting Covid-19. We are rolling out measures for their uninterrupted regimen,” Duque said.
The move comes as the enhanced community quarantine is enforced in Luzon and other parts of the country because of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
The DOH issued a Department Memorandum mandating health workers in government TB clinics to allow “enrolled patients to take home a one-month supply of anti-TB medications.”
Since the start of 2020, about 37,500 patients have started their treatment regimen. In 2019, close to 330,000 Filipinos were enrolled for TB treatment.
Old age, malnutrition, heavy smoking, weak immune system, being a person living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV), and chronic conditions like diabetes and renal disease, increase the risk for people to become vulnerable to both COVID-19 and TB.
“In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, we should not lose sight of other infectious and pandemic diseases, especially TB,” the health chief added.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes