WHO: 70,000 Filipinos To Be Infected, Around 2,400 Would Die

WHO Projects 70,000 Filipinos To Be Infected With COVID-19

WHO: 70,000 FILIPINOS TO BE INFECTED – The Philippines continued to face an increasing trend in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19.

WHO: 70,000 Filipinos To Be Infected, Around 2,400 Would Die — Image from: ABS-CBN

As such, President Rodrigo Duterte imposed an enhanced community quarantine in the entirety of Luzon. Furthermore, entry from cities is being restricted to only allow essential employees.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases had another meeting. There, the World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines presented the “worst-case scenario” model for COVID-19.

The WHO had previously called out governments for alarming levels of inaction. Likewise, the Philippine government also faced similar criticisms from its residents.

According to a report from Inquirer, Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya emphasized that the rapid spread of the new coronavirus could be “exponential” if left unchecked.

Additionally, Malaya expressed that the Philippines would end up like Iran, South Korea, and Italy – the hardest-hit countries by COVID-19 outside of China.

Similarly, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III stated that the country’s over 100 cases could multiply within weeks. Moreover, in WHO’s worst-case model, 70,000 Filipinos would be infected.

In addition, the country would face a 3-to-4 percent mortality rate. That could add up to around 2,100 to 2,400 deaths caused by COVID-19.

Admittedly, the Philippines does not have the same technology and equipment as more developed countries like South Korea. However, even with all the countermeasures available at their disposal, they were still hit hard by the virus.

They were previously the hardest-hit country next to China before Italy took that mantle. But, when South Korea first got wind of the virus, they were quick to respond.

However, because of a patient that didn’t adhere to social distancing measures, the number of cases skyrocketed.