The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday reported 73 new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), bringing the total number of cases in the country to 380.

“Meron po tayong natatala ngayon na (We have recorded) 15 people who have recovered from the disease and 25 deaths in total,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a Laging Handa public briefing.

As the number of positive cases continue to rise, Vergeire said the DOH is working on having designated hospitals for Covid-19 patients.

“Since last week, we have announced three new referral hospitals will be established here in Metro Manila, the UP-PGH, Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan, and Lung Center of the Philippines,” she said.

“May final arrangements na ginagawa ngayon (There are ongoing final arrangements) and hopefully towards the end of the week we can announce when we can accommodate patients in these referral hospitals,” she added.

Vergeire said the establishment of the referral hospitals will prevent having “mix of patients and cut further infection or transmission of this disease”.

“Secondly, this will simplify the work of our health care workers, that they are not running through a mix of patients — Covid and non-Covid patients, and, thirdly, to decongest hospitals filled with patients because of these cases,” she added. (PNA)