Statistics: as of June 18, 2020
Confirmed cases – 27,799
Recoveries – 7,090
Deaths – 1,116

Source: DOH @ Department of Health

COVID-19 which stands for Coronavirus Disease 2019 is a disease caused by Coronaviruses. Coronaviruses are in turn “a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).” (World Health Organization)

The following is a chronology of events and statements by government officials and other important personalities in the PHILIPPINES. The list is gathered from online news sites which is provided with a link so the reader can verify its accuracy.

This page is updated continuously so come back for more.

January, 2020

Jan. 24 – Wuhan coronavirus virus spreads as China scraps New Year celebrations (Read More at CNN.com)

Jan. 29 – Duterte not keen on banning travel to China amid coronavirus scare (Read more at CNN Philippines)

Jan. 30 – Philippines confirms first case of new coronavirus (Read more at ABS-CBN)

Jan. 31 – Coronavirus declared global health emergency by WHO (read more at BBC News)

February, 2020
Feb. 1 – (Example for RP) Australia to refuse entry to non-citizens arriving from China (Read more at ABS-CBN News)
Feb. 2 – Philippines confirms 2nd novel coronavirus case, 1st death outside China (Read more at GMA News)

Feb. 2 – ‘Why can’t PH do the same?’ Lacson asks as others ban entry of travelers from China (Read more at inquirer.net)

Feb. 5 – Three Filipino crew members of cruise ship Diamond Princess quarantined off the coast of Yokohama, Japan (Read more at DOH Report)

Feb. 10 – Health Department warns Filipinos not to attend concerts, other public events to avoid coronavirus infection (Read more at Coconut.co)

Feb 14 – PRRD encourages Pinoys to travel around PH amid Covid-19 scare (read more at PNA News)

Feb. 27 – DOH Secretary Duque – PH is ‘model country’ in fighting COVID-19 epidemic (Read more at ABS-CBN News)

March, 2020
Mar. 6 – PH confirms new local COVID-19 cases (Read more at inquirer.net)

Mar. 7 – DOH recommends declaration of public health emergency after COVID-19 local transmission (Read more at GMA News)

Mar. 9 – Philippines declares state of public health emergency due to coronavirus (Read more at ABS-CBN News

Mar. 10 – FDA approves Coronavirus test kit developed by UP scientists (Read more at peoplaid.com)

Mar. 10 – Duterte says too early’ to lock down Metro Manila due to virus threat (Read more at ABS-CBN News)

Mar. 12 – Code Red Sub-Level 2: Duterte announces ‘community quarantine’ vs. COVID-19 (Read more at GMA News)

Mar. 12 – Duterte thanks Xi Jinping during Coronavirus briefing (Read more at rappler)

Check out the press conference below

Mar. 12 – President Duterte to undergo testing for Coronavirus, Palace Cleaned (Read more at VOAnews.com)

Mar. 14 – Metro Manila mayors ask malls to close during coronavirus lockdown Read more at Rappler.

Mar. 15 – Coronavirus cases in Philippines rise to 140, with 12 deaths – Read more at CNN Philippines

Mar. 15 – 5 COVID-19 patients have recovered, says health chief (Read More at Gulf News)

Mar. 15 – “Walang namamatay sa gutom. Ang isang buwan hindi ka pa mamamatay (Nobody will die even if you are hungry for a month)”, Says Spokesperson Panelo. (Read more at inquirer.net)

Mar. 16 – First working day of Community Quarantine (CQ) for Metro Metro: Social Distancing Isn’t Working Out For Us. In Fact, The Whole Thing Is a Disaster. (Read more at esquiremag.ph)

Mar. 16 – Philippines lifts travel ban to mainland China except Hubei (Read more at GMA News)

Mar. 16 – ‘Total lockdown’ in Metro Manila eyed (Read more at inquirer.net)

Mar. 16 – 2,000 fast test kits donated by China arrive in Manila (Read More at Manila Bulletin)

Mar. 16 – Duterte orders Luzon-wide ‘enhanced community quarantine’ (Read more at GMA News)

Mar. 16 – Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri announced Monday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). He is the highest government official to admit so far.(Read more at GMA News)

Mar. 17 – Leni Robredo fund drive for health workers’ protective gear reaches P12M (Read more at GMA News)

Mar. 17 – Vice President’s office to provide free shuttle service, PPEs to health workers (Read more at Manila Bulletin)

Mar. 17 – Duterte admin rolls out P27.1B war chest vs COVID-19 (Read more at GMA News)

Mar. 17 – US provides P139-M COVID-19 response aid to Philippines (Photo Credit: Facebook Page)

Mar. 17 – Actor Christopher de Leon says he has COVID-19 (Read more at CNN Philippines

Mar. 19 – Duterte orders LGUs to follow IATF orders on Luzon lockdown amid report that Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto was encouraging the use of tricycles to transport stranded commuters in defiance of orders from the national government. Mayor Vico Sotto later said he will abide by the national directives. (Read more at Rappler)

(See: Biography of Vico Sotto )

Mar. 21 – COVID-19 cases surge to 307 in biggest single-day increase since start of outbreak (Read more at CNN Philippines)

Mar. 22 – Singapore to donate 3,000 coronavirus test kits to PH (Read More at Rappler)

Mar. 22 – Malacanang asks Congress for emergency powers to address coronavirus crisis (Read more at ABS-CBN)

Mar. 22 – Office of Vice President (OVP) to open dorm for COVID-19 frontliners (Read more at GMA News)

Mar

Mar. 22 – Senate won’t allow Duterte to take over businesses — Sotto (Read more at GMA News)

Mar. 23 – ABS-CBN’s ‘Pantawid ng Pag-ibig’ concert raises P237 M (Read more at inquirer.net)

Mar. 23 – Philippines’ COVID-19 cases up to 462, death toll at 33 (Read more at GMA News)

Mar. 23 – House Committee of the Whole OKs bill granting ’emergency powers’ to Duterte to address COVID-19 (Read more at GMA News)

Mar. 24 – Special powers bill to deal with coronavirus now up for Duterte’s signature (Read more at Rappler)

Mar. 24 – Duterte signs law granting himself special powers to address coronavirus outbreak (Read more at Rappler)

Mar. 24 – Koko Pimentel is second senator to test positive of coronavirus (Read more at GMA News)

Mar. 25 – Makati Med denounces reckless action by COVID-19 positive Koko Pimentel (Read more at GMA News)

Mar. 25 – Office of the Vice President turns over 23k protective gear for health workers in 62 hospitals, communities (Read more at GMA News)

Mar. 26 – Koko Pimentel apologizes to Makati Med over breach of COVID-19 protocols (Read more at GMA News)

Mar. 26 – Dr. Sally Gatchalian, 9th doc to pass away in Philippines after battling with COVID-19 (Read more at GMA News)

Mar. 26 – Sonny Angara becomes the 3rd senator to test positive of covid-19 (Full story at Rappler)

Mar. 27 – RITM says congressman Yap ‘remains negative’ for COVID-19, claiming it was a Clerical oversight. (Read more at Rappler)

Mar. 27 – Duterte on self-quarantine as several officials contract COVID-19 (Read more at Rappler)

Mar. 29 – Department of Health (DOH) recorded 343 new cases of the coronavirus in the Philippines on Sunday, March 29, the biggest single-day rise so far. (Read more at Rappler)

Mar. 29 – Faulty coronavirus test kits ‘from private foundation,’ not China, says DOH. Earlier, it said it discarded test kits from China with poor accuracy. DOH apologized after Chinese embassy disowned the discarded test kits. (Read more at Rappler )

Mar. 29 – Singapore donates 40,000 more coronavirus test kits to PH (Read more ar Rappler)

Mar. 30 – 120,000 UP-developed COVID-19 test kits available starting this weekend — DOST (Read more at GMA News)

Mar. 30 – President Rodrigo Duterte gives report on Coronavirus at midnight. See video below.

Mar. 31 – Bongbong Marcos tests positive for coronavirus (Read more at Rappler )

Mar. 31 – DILG chief Año positive for COVID-19 (Read more at GMA News)

Apr. 1 – Office of Civil Defense to coordinate health-related donations to gov’t (Read more at CNN Philippines)

Apr. 1 – Duterte tells police, military to shoot unruly quarantine violators (Read more at CNN philippines)

Apr. 1 – NBI summons Vico Sotto over alleged quarantine violation; mayor says not illegal to give opinion (Read more at ABS-CBN News)

Apr. 4 – Eastern Samar urges government to stop entry of vessel carrying Chinese nationals who were loading minerals from Homonhon Island (Read more at CNN Philippines)

Apr. 6 – Bayanihan bails out San Roque residents, 21 walk free (Read more at Rappler)

Apr. 6 – DTI sets 30-day grace period for residential, commercial rent (Read more at Rappler)

Apr. 6 – Duterte says not enough gov’t funds in battle vs COVID-19 (Read more at ABS-CBN news)

Apr. 7 – Duterte extends Luzon-wide quarantine to April 30 (Read more at Manila Times)

Apr. 13 – Lawyer asks SC to compel Duterte to disclose health records since he assumed office (Read more at CNN Philippines)

Apr. 14 – Duterte ‘fit and healthy’ to lead PH in COVID-19 fight, says Panelo (Read more at ABS-CBN News)

Apr. 14 – Duterte downplays rumors COVID-19 is ‘Made in China’ (Read more at GMA News)

Apr. 14 – Duterte approves wage subsidy for middle class workers (Read more at GMA News)

Apr. 14 – Homonhon residents disappointed on DENR turnaround, allowing Chinese-manned vessel to load chromite ores in Homonhon (Read more at CBCP News)

Apr. 17 – NEDA chief Pernia resigns amid coronavirus crisis (Read more at Rappler)

Apr. 17 – Finance Undersecretary Karl Chua is new acting NEDA chief (Read more at Rappler)

Apr. 22 – High number of virus-hit health workers makes PH ‘an outlier’ (Read more at inquirer.net)

Apr. 24 – Metro Manila, other ‘high-risk’ Luzon areas to remain on lockdown until May 15 (Read more at Rappler)

Apr. 30 – Ramon Ang donates coronavirus kits as PH struggles with testing. San Miguel Corporation says the donation doubles the government’s testing capacity to 11,000 per day. (Read more at Rappler)

May 17 – The Philippines now has the highest COVID-19 fatality rate and lowest recovery rate in ASEAN (Read more at ABS-CBN News)

May 19 – DOH allocates P18 million for clinical trials of Japan flu drug (Read more at Rappler)

May 21 – Duque admits no COVID-19 mass testing ever conducted since outbreak (Read more at inquirer.net)