First local case of COVID-19 detected in Philippines

The Philippines has announced its first local case of the coronavirus.

According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque, the 62-year-old Filipino man contracted the disease without travelling out of the country recently. 

Duque reiterated that the absence of travel history indicates that it is a local case, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country to five, with one death recorded so far. 

Another 48-year-old Filipino man tested positive for the virus after returning from his trip to Tokyo. 

The Department of Health in the country is currently tracking down people who came in contact with both men to help contain the spread of the virus.