Baguio City (CNN Philippines, April 14) — A Baguio-based doctor who contracted COVID-19 at the frontlines of the fight against it has recovered from the viral disease.

Dr. Manuel Kelly was discharged Tuesday from the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, making him the 12th COVID-19 survivor in the country’s summer capital. The Baguio General Hospital staff and doctors led by medical officer Dr. Ricardo Runez applauded Kelly in send-off rites to celebrate his recovery from COVID-19.

"I am very happy because my final tests are both negative. And we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We still have to quarantine ourselves or stay at home for another 14 days," Kelly said.

Kelly thanked all the medical doctors and staff of the hospital who were with him in his fight against the virus.

Before Kelly's recovery on Tuesday, his fellow COVID-19 patients 52-year-old Joel Junsay and Jaysay Bactad, 67 were earlier discharged on Monday.

Of the 15 confirmed cases in the city, 12 have already recovered and two more are currently confined as of Tuesday morning.

According to the Health Department, 152 doctors and 63 nurses have tested positive for COVID-19 nationwide.

It added that 12 healthcare workers have died due to COVID-19, but did not specify what their professions in the health sector were.

Earlier, the Philippine Medical Association gave a different number, saying 17 doctors died from COVID-19. The group said these deaths could have been prevented had there been enough protective gear.

Health officials have since procured one million sets of personal protective equipment to be distributed to different hospitals. These sets, containing N95 masks, surgical gowns, gloves, head cover and foot covers, will come in batches until April 24.