MANILA, Philippines — Eighteen more individuals have succumbed to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), even as the total tally of cases in the country increased to 4,195 on Friday. According to the Department of Health, the COVID-19 death toll in the Philippines is now at 221 while it documented 119 new infections of the highly contagious respiratory illness. ADVERTISEMENTMeanwhile, DOH said 16 patients were able to recover from COVID-19. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, which outbreak started in China’s Wuhan City in Hubei province in late 2019. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 10, 2020 08:26 UTC