Philippine COVID-19 infections breach 100 with 13 new cases

The total number of people infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines has exceeded 100, as the Department of Health reported 13 additional cases on Saturday evening.

Shai Lagarde of GMA News' Stand For Truth said with the new development, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines now stands at 111 "upon validation of laboratory results confirmed on March 13."

BREAKING: DOH reports 13 additional cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines upon validation of laboratory results confirmed on March 13. This bring the total number of cases to 111 as of March 14, 2020. @gmanews

— ???????????????? (??) (@shailagarde) March 14, 2020

"Information of the new cases is currently being validates and will be released to the public as soon as it is available," said the DOH.

"All are enjoined to source out information through the Department's official channels," it added.

The latest tally comes just hours before Metro Manila gets placed under a community quarantine, which would close off the entire region from non-essential entries and exits.

The quarantine is part of the Philippine government's attempt to curb the spread of the virus, which has already killed eight people in the Philippines.

Worldwide, 145,594 people have already been hit by the virus, with 5,419 deaths.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier urged the public to practice preventive measures to stall the spread of the coronavirus. — MDM, GMA News