DOH announced on Saturday three fatalities and 47 new cases of new coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Philippines as of March 14.
This increased the death toll to eight and the number of coronavirus cases to 111.
DOH said four of those who died were from Greenhills shopping district in San Juan City.
Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said most of the fatalities are either middle-aged or elderly with underlying medical conditions, like diabetes and hypertension or compromised immunity.
“These are all our vulnerable population who are at high risk of getting this disease and at high risk of becoming critical [cases],” Vergeire said.
Also read: Metro Manila COVID-19 Lockdown Guide
COVID-19 cases in Philippines soar to 111; death toll 8
Pampanga 3
The two latest deaths were from Pampanga or known only as “Pampanga 3,” who died on March 11 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Medical Center (OLMCMC) in the City of San Fernando. “Patient 40,” who died late March 14 at Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) in Cagayan de Oro City.
Both the latest fatalities visited the prayer room in San Juan City, which was also frequented by “Patients 5 and 6,” a married couple from Cainta, Rizal, who both died of the disease on March 12.
On March 9, three days before the couple died, Pampanga 3 was admitted to OLMCMC in the City of San Fernando, shortly after he visited the San Juan prayer hall upon his arrival in Metro Manila from Singapore. He died on March 11, according to Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda.
Mindanao first confirmed case
Patient 40 was a Muslim teacher from Lanao del Sur, who lived in Pasig City and worked in San Juan City. He was 54 years old and was Mindanao’s first coronavirus case.
Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong said Patient 40 was believed to have contracted COVID-19 in Metro Manila, shortly before he returned to Mindanao late February.