Philippines reports 73 new coronavirus cases, 6 more deaths
A man wearing a face mask uses a disinfection booth that mists ethyl alcohol to contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, March 20, 2020. REUTERS
MANILA:The Philippines reported 73 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 380, the health ministry said on Sunday.
It also announced six more deaths related to coronavirus, bringing total fatalities to 25.
Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire told DZBB radio that the increase in the number of confirmed cases could be "artificial" as the government is only now catching up on a backlog of tests.
The government has placed more than half of the country's population under strict home quarantine to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
The country is stopping the issuance of visas to foreigners, banning all nationalities from entering the country to halt the spread of coronavirus, its foreign minister said on Thursday.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin said on Twitter that he had signed an order stopping the issuance of visas domestically and in all foreign posts. Locsin did not give a timeframe for the measures.
The government has unveiled a 27.1 billion peso (US$526.6 million) package to fund hospitals fighting the virus and provide reprieve amid a slowdown in economic activity.
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