The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) projected that the country could see up to 75,000 CoVID-19 cases within a span of three months, based on modeling forecasts presented by Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.
According to local news outlet ABS-CBN News, Vergeire said in an interview on Wednesday that the department is trying to make projections about what the Philippines could face in terms of CoVID-19 infections and so far, the estimates have stuck between 70,000 to 75,000 in 3 months.
Vergeire went on to clarify that the figures are just an estimate and the department had been carrying out research for projections as part of the efforts to hopefully come up with more effective responses to the country's coronavirus battle.
The DOH's estimates came hours after President Rodrigo Duterte placed the Philippines under a state of calamity. The call was made to allow the government more room to respond to the current situation.
Manila Has a New Infectious Disease Control Center
On Tuesday, Manila opened a new infectious disease control center at the Sta. Ana Hospital as part of the efforts to contain the highly-infectious virus.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said the new center will help accommodate patients who may have been infected with the CoVID-19 strain. He thanked all of the people who worked together to ensure that the center will be constructed amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
The new facility's completion came as the Philippines recorded 14 deaths as of Tuesday evening.
CNN Philippines Temporarily Halts Broadcast
On Wednesday, CNN Philippines revealed that it will temporarily halt broadcasting after one tenant of the building where the outlet's office is located tested positive of the novel coronavirus.
The management of the building where CNN Philippines' office is located revealed that it will carry out sanitization and disinfection of the premises to ensure the safety of everyone who gets back to work at the building.
The Worldwide Corporate Center in Mandaluyong City's Shaw Boulevard area also houses other companies besides CNN Philippines.
Summer Capital of the Philippines' Tourism Industry Hit Hard by CoVID-19
Baguio City, a tourist hotspot on the northern island of the Philippines, has started feeling the heat of the coronavirus situation that placed the country in a state of calamity.
Also known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio City is home to many business people whose bread-and-butter is the small city's tourism industry. According to local news site the Baguio Herald Express, there has been a string of successive layoffs in the restaurant and hotel sectors over the past weeks.
Before Duterte declared the enhanced community quarantine for the whole of Luzon, the country's northern island, Baguio City Mayor already announced a community quarantine on the city.
Over the past few weeks, the city also experienced a significant drop in tourist traffic as tourists from all over the world and the country halted travel plans or suspended supposed trips to the Summer Capital.
Philippines Reports More Cases
As of Wednesday morning, the DOH reported a total of 193 CoVID-19 cases in the country, while seven people have recovered from the disease.
The news came after the Chinese government said it will donate 100,000 coronavirus test kits and 100,000 surgical masks to help health providers in the country in the frontline.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. noted that he received the notification from Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian via text message, along with the confirmation that 10,00 sets of personal protective equipment will be provided to the country.
China will arrange for a chartered flight this weekend to deliver the test kits, surgical masks, protective equipment, and 10,000 N-95 masks to further assist Filipinos working at the frontline.
