MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night rejected the proposal to put the National Capital Region (NCR) under lockdown as the confirmed 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection in the country spiked to 24. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda earlier proposed a lockdown of Metro Manila to prevent the spread of the virus. In a press briefing Monday afternoon, the number of confirmed cases in the country doubled to 20 as the DOH announces 10 more cases. Hours after, Duterte announced four new confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total cases in the Philippines to 24. READ: Place NCR on lockdown over coronavirus?

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 09, 2020 15:22 UTC