Coronavirus: Philippines reports 73 new cases, 6 more deaths

Health minister says country is catching up on testing backlog

Last updated: March 22, 2020 | 06:03

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Homeless children sit inside a restaurant in Quezon City in Manila after the shop converted parts of its premises into a shelter for the homeless amid the island-wide lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak on March 21, 2020.

AFP

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.