MANILA, Philippines (Updated 10:44 a.m.) — The Philippines on Tuesday morning reported more cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), bringing the country’s total count above the 500-level. According to a radio dzBB report, the Department of Health confirmed there are now 501 cases of the disease in the country after detecting 39 new infections. The death toll was steady at 33 while 19 patients recovered, the DOH added. In virus-hit countries like South Korea and Singapore, widespread testing is crucial in their fight against the pandemic as it allows authorities to isolate and treat infected people. If the additional powers were enacted into law, it would set the stage for one of the most far-reaching measures in the world to arrest the spread of the virus.

Source: Philippine Star March 24, 2020 02:09 UTC