The Department of  Health (DOH) has reported that the number of cases of positive coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country has surged by 211 new cases, as the total number of cases reached 7,192.

“As of 4PM today, April 24, 2020, the Department of Health reports 211 new cases (PH6982-PH7192) of COVID-19. The total number of cases in the country is now at 7,192,” said DOH Case Bulletin #041.

The DOH also said there are 15 new COVID-19-related fatalities, bringing the total death toll to 477.

The DOH also announced 40 new recoveries, raising the total to 762.

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or “lockdown” in Metro Manila and several other areas  until May 15, 2020.

The country reported its first case of the disease on January 30 in a Chinese woman who came from the Chinese city of Wuhan where the virus that causes COVID-19 is believed to have originated./Stacy Ang