The Philippines has confirmed two more cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Friday. This brings the total case in the country to 5.
In a press conference on Friday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that the 4th case is a 48-year-old male Filipino who traveled to Japan. The patient, who returned to the country on February 25, became symptomatic starting March 3. He was found to have contracted the virus 2 days after.
The fifth confirmed case is a 52-year-old male Filipino with no known travel history. He has existing hypertension and diabetes. He was admitted to a hospital in Metro Manila last March 1 due to severe pneumonia, according to the health secretary.
The patient regularly visited a Muslim prayer hall in San Juan, said the Secretary.
Contact tracing is critical to prevent possible local transmission, according to Duque.
