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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider DOH: Total COVID-19 cases reach 12,091; 'new normal' changes our way of life

DOH: Total COVID-19 cases reach 12,091; 'new normal' changes our way of life

Published May 15, 2020 12:00 am
By Analou De Vera Confirmed cases of coronavirus disease in the Philippines surpassed the 12,000-mark a day before the easing of community quarantine measures in many parts of the country. Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire (PNA / MANILA BULLETIN) Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire (PNA / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) The Department of Health (DOH) said a total of 12,091 cases of COVID-19 has been recorded since the outbreak began early this year. As of 4 p.m. on Friday (May 15), the DOH said it recorded 215 new cases. Of this number, 144 cases were from Metro Manila while the other 71 cases were found in other areas. There are now 806 deaths among COVID-19 patients as the DOH reported 16 new fatalities. Meanwhile, the number of recoveries increased to 2,460. Included in this figure were the 123 new recoveries reported by the DOH. ‘New normal’ In a press briefing Friday afternoon, Health Undersecretary Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire reminded the public that they should adapt to the "new normal" amid the easing of restrictions starting Saturday (May 16). “Alam po namin, ito ay isang malaking kaluwagan...meron na tayong konting leeway na lumabas. Ganunpaman, hindi ito nangangahulugan na babalik tayo sa buhay na nakagawian natin bago ang pagpapatupad ng ECQ,” Vergeire said. (We know that this is a great relief ... we have a little leeway to go out. However, this does not mean we will return to the kind of life we were used to before the implementation of the ECQ.) “Nais namin bigyan diin, ma-lift man ng tuluyan ang quarantine (We want to emphasize that even if quarantine is lifted), the world we live in will no longer be the same,” she added. Vergeire said the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the people’s way of living as well as their perspective on life. “Nauunawaan namin na hindi ito basta-basta, sapagkat ito ay nangangahulugan ng napakalaking pagbabago sa ating sistema. Lahat ng ating nakagawian ay kailangan baguhin. Lahat ng ating plano -- mapa-travel, celebrations, at gatherings -- ay kailangan natin i-revisit. Ito ang katotohanan na kailangan natin harapin,” she said. (We understand that this is not a simple matter. This means a huge change in our system. Everything we used to do needs to change. All our plans - whether for travel, celebrations, and gatherings -- must be revisited. This is the truth that we have to face.) The Health official said this new normal will continue until a vaccine or treatment for COVID-19 is discovered.
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