Recoveries exceed COVID deaths

For the first time since the enhanced community quarantine was imposed, the number of people who recovered exceeded those who died from COVID-19.

Based on data released by the Department of Health (DOH), 58 patients survived the virus, jacking up the number of recoveries to 353. On the other hand, the death toll rose to 349 with 14 new fatalities documented.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that while the government will require public disclosure of personal information from COVID-19 patients, not just anyone will have access to it.

Vergeire said patients’ details about their travel history and possible close contacts will be accessed only by the DOH, local government officials, Philippine National Police and other government agencies that will conduct the contact tracing.

She maintained that this information will be protected by the Data Privacy Act.

Earlier, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging and Infectious Diseases adopted the policy of mandatory public disclosure of patients’ personal information to strengthen efforts to contain the spread of the virus in the country.