Here are the banner stories of Thursday, March 12, 2020 on Trendrod.
WHO: COVID-19 now a ‘pandemic’
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.
Duterte places Metro Manila under ‘community quarantine’
In his televised speech this evening, President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to place the National Capital Region under ‘community quarantine.’ This is to counter the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila.
Here are some key points from his speech:
> Work in the executive department to be suspended. Skeletal force will be tasked to run the executive department.
> Private sector work to continue, but will adopt flexible work scheme.
> Public transport service will continue to run. But social distancing must be observed at all times.
> Domestic land, air, and sea travel to and from Manila will be suspended starting March 15, 2020 until April 14, 2020. Changes will be subject to the approval of the Inter-agency Task Force.
> President Duterte has raised Code Red Sub-level 2 over the current #COVID19 situation in the country.
> Class suspension in the National Capital Region has been extended until April 12, 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
> Mass gatherings, including rallies, will be prohibited for the time being.
For more information about tonight’s presser, visit the linked thread below:
3 more patients die due to COVID-19; death toll now at 5
The Department of Health has confirmed the deaths of cases PH5, PH6, and PH37. With this announcement, the country’s death toll has risen to 5, while confirmed cases now stand at 52.
Read the Department’s statement below: