MANILA – Confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country continue to increase as it breached the 10,000 mark on Wednesday, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
DOH Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said in a virtual press conference there were 320 new cases of COVID-19 infections, bringing the total count to 10,004.
Of the total figures, around 1,506 patients have already recovered with 98 additional survivors as of 4 p.m. yesterday.
DOH also reported 21 new deaths, bringing the toll now to 658.
According to Vergeire, at least 100 COVID-19 patients in the country have been selected to be part of clinical trials for anti-flu drug Avigan after Japan pledge to provide enough anti-flu drugs.
The DOH, Vergeire said, is already formulating guidelines on which hospitals will conduct the trial as she stressed that the consent of the patients are necessary for the trial.
Japan has been conducting clinical studies into Avigan, also known as favipiravir, after scientists suggested it had been effective in treating COVID-19 patients.
“Patuloy po ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa Japan para sa supply of this drug which is Avigan na ipapadala po nila. Nakapagbigay na sila ng go-signal dahil po dito,” Vergeire said./PN
