The Department of Health (DOH) said that the estimate of health experts is that COVID-19 cases in the Philippine could reach 75,000 in three months, but the curve can be flattened if proper measures are in place.

“Ito po ay isang modelling estimate na ginawa po ng ating mga eksperto kasama ang WHO (World Health Organization), ang ating mga epidemiologist din po dito sa ating bansa at sinasabi po na ang 75,000 ay aabutin natin kung hindi tayo maglalagay ng interventions na appropriate,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in March 18 press briefing.

“Pero ang sinasabi natin we can flatten this curve. Puwede ho nating i-prevent na mangyari na mag-peak ang ganitong numero, so ibig sabihin po puwede nating i-spread across many months ‘yan if only we can implement stringent measures po katulad nitong social distancing,” she explained.

The Philippine government is now implementing enhanced community quarantine in entire Luzon.