The Department of Health reported that the Philippines has its first coronavirus death and recorded as its second case.
A 44-year-old male who was positive for the 2019 novel coronavirus died last February 1, 2020. He was the second person who was affected with the virus in the Philippines.
Moreover, the infected man was the first person who died outside China.
“He was a companion of the country’s first confirmed case — the 38-year-old Chinese woman who was also from Wuhan, China. It was recently reported that the two went to Cebu and Dumaguete before heading to Manila,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III mentioned.
The first case of coronavirus in the Philippines was reported last January 30, 20 ( see full story here: https://www.trending.ph/2020/01/first-case-of-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-in-the-philippines-confirmed/ )
The second victim was also admitted at the at the San Lazaro Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila for isolation and supportive treatment.
The Story of the First Coronavirus Death in the Philippines
“Both patients ( the 38-year-old woman and the 44-year-old man) are from Wuhan, China and arrived in the Philippines via Hong Kong last January 21, 2020. The second confirmed case was admitted for pneumonia last January 25, 2020 after experiencing fever, cough, and sore throat,” said Duque.
“Over the course of the patient’s admission, he developed severe pneumonia due to viral and bacterial infections. In his last few days, the patient was stable and showed signs of improvement, however, the condition of the patient deteriorated within his last 24 hours resulting in his demise,” he added.
Health Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo said that the Chinese man died because of “complications due to pneumonia.”
With these incidents, the Philippine President, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, implemented a temporary travel ban for travellers from China, Macao and Hong Kong.
“China’s National Health Commission (NHC) issued new regulations Saturday stating that all victims who succumb to the virus in China must be cremated at the nearest facility,” Business Inquirer reported.
Sources: https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/02/02/doh-confirms-first-coronavirus-related-death-outside-china/
https://www.businessinsider.com/wuhan-coronavirus-first-death-outside-china-phillipines-2020-2
