Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines

January

• January 30
• * The first case of the disease was confirmed in the Philippines, which is a 38-year old Chinese woman.
• * The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine began conducting confirmatory tests for the disease. Before this date, confirmatory tests were conducted abroad.

  February

• February 2 – The first death from the disease in the Philippines was confirmed. This death is the first confirmed death outside the Chinese mainland.
• February 5
• *The first confirmed case of a Filipino citizen outside the Philippines was announced. The case is of a crew member of the cruise ship Diamond Princess quarantined off the coast of Yokohama, Japan.
• *The third case in the country was confirmed.
• February 9–22 – Repatriates from Wuhan were quarantined at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. None of them displayed any symptoms during the quarantine period and was released after they were cleared for the disease.

  March

• March 6 – The fourth and fifth cases, an employee of Deloitte at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, and a resident of Cainta, Rizal respectively, were confirmed on March 6. Both are Filipino citizens, making them the first and second cases of Filipinos inside the Philippines.
• March 7
• * The sixth case was confirmed on March 7. The case is of the wife of the fifth case diagnosed on March 5.
• * The Department of Health confirmed that the fifth case was the first local transmission in the country. Code Red Sub-Level 1 was also raised as a precautionary measure.
• March 8
• *Four new cases were confirmed on March 8:
• ** The seventh case is a Taiwanese national who got infected by another Taiwanese national that recently visited the Philippines. His symptoms began appearing on March 3.
• ** The eighth case is a Filipino citizen that recently visited Japan in the past two weeks. His symptoms began appearing on March 5.
• ** The ninth case is an American national with pre-existing hypertension that recently traveled to the US and South Korea. His symptoms began appearing on March 1.
• ** The tenth case is a Filipino citizen with no travel history outside of the country. He had contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases but his exposure is still under investigation by the DOH.
• March 9
• * Ten new cases were initially confirmed on March 9, totaling 20 cases.
• * On Monday evening, March 9, President Duterte has formally declared a state of public health emergency in the Philippines. The president also suspended all classes, in public and private, in Metro Manila from March 10 to 14 and confirmed four more cases, totaling 24 cases.
• *The first cases in Bulacan, a resident of San Jose del Monte, and Cavite, a resident of Imus, were also confirmed.
• March 10 – Eleven new cases were initially confirmed on March 10. The DOH later corrected that two cases were repeat tests, totaling 33 cases.
• March 11 – Sixteen new cases were confirmed on March 11, totaling 49 cases.
• * The Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong temporarily closed after one of its guests, a Singaporean permanent resident, was confirmed to have contracted COVID-19.
• *The first case in Negros Oriental and in the Visayas was confirmed. He was a local official of the municipality of Tayasan, and had a history of travel to Greenhills, San Juan, where a cluster of COVID-19 cases was confirmed.
• *The first case in a resident of Lanao del Sur and in Mindanao was confirmed. He works in Metro Manila but came home to his province. He was first admitted in Iligan, but was then transferred to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro when he was suspected of having COVID-19.
• *The first case in Batangas, a resident of Batangas City, was confirmed.
• March 12
• * Three new cases were confirmed on March 12, totaling 52 cases.
• *Vice-President Robredo on March 12 addressed the public about COVID-19. The vice-president urged the government to adopt work from home, fast-track the process of test-kits, and protect the vulnerable from the pandemic.
• * President Duterte announces a partial lockdown on Metro Manila beginning at midnight on March 15 that will cover 16 cities and one municipality. Land, domestic air, and domestic sea travel to and from Metro Manila shall be suspended until April 14, 2020. Entry travel restrictions shall be imposed upon those traveling from countries with localized COVID-19 transmissions, except for Filipino citizens or holders of Permanent Resident Visas and Diplomat Visas. Mass transportation within Metro Manila shall continue to operate with social distancing guidelines.
• March 13 – Twelve new cases were confirmed on March 13, totaling 64 cases.
• *The first cases in Bataan, a resident of Orani, and Pampanga were confirmed.
• March 14
• * Forty-seven new cases were confirmed on March 14, totaling 111 cases.
• * The province of Oriental Mindoro has been placed under a "voluntary community quarantine."
• *The first cases in the provinces of Quezon, a resident of Lucena City, Laguna, a resident of Santa Rosa, and Abra, an Overseas Filipino Worker from the town Manabo, were confirmed.
• March 15
• * The National Capital Region and the municipality of Cainta in Rizal have been placed under "community quarantine" or a partial lockdown that will last until April 14.
• * Twenty-nine new cases have been confirmed on March 15, totaling 140 cases.
• * The PNP announced that an officer assigned to the CIDG showed symptoms of COVID-19 while having a diabetic condition. He died on March 14 with the test results released by March 17.
• *The first case in the Davao Region was confirmed as the cities of Davao and Tagum declare a "partial lockdown" of their respective areas.
• March 16
• * Two new cases have been confirmed on March 16, totaling 142 cases.
• * President Duterte announces the placement of the entire island of Luzon including its associated islands on "enhanced community quarantine," in effect imposing a lockdown on the island.
• March 17
• * The Department of Health confirmed that the occurrence of community-based transmission of the coronavirus in the Philippines.
• * Forty-five new cases were confirmed on March 17, totaling 187 cases.
• * A Diamond Princess repatriate who tested positive of the virus has completely recovered from the disease and was discharged within the same day. This brings a total of 4 recoveries among infected patients in the Philippines.
• * On March 17, President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Proclamation No. 929 that placed the entire Philippines under the state of calamity on account of COVID-19.
• March 18
• * Six new cases were confirmed on March 18, totaling 193 cases.
• * The total confirmed cases of COVID-19 surpassed the 200-benchmark. Eleven new cases were later confirmed, totaling 202 cases. Three fatalities were confirmed totaling 17 deaths.
• * Cebu confirmed its first case from a patient confined in a hospital in Mandaue.

• March 19
• * Fifteen new cases were confirmed on March 19, totaling 217 cases.
• * DOH Secretary Francisco Duque was placed under home quarantine after one of the department's senior officials tested positive for the disease.
• * DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. announced the temporary suspension of visa issuance to all foreign individuals and cancellation of existing ones.
• March 20
• * On March 20, President Duterte addressed the nation through the House of Representatives and gave additional orders to the people and the government to alleviate the spread of COVID-19.
• *Thirteen additional cases of the disease were confirmed, totaling 230 cases. One fatality was also confirmed, totaling 18 deaths.
• * Bacolod records its first case from a patient confined in an unspecified private hospital.
• March 21
• * Thirty-two new cases were initially confirmed on March 21, totaling 262 cases. One fatality and five recoveries were also confirmed totaling 19 deaths and 13 recoveries.
• * Forty-five additional new cases were confirmed later, surpassing the 300-mark and totaling 307 cases.
• * The first cases in Cagayan and Palawan were confirmed.
• *The first case in Iloilo was confirmed.
• March 22
• * Seventy-three new cases were confirmed on March 22, totaling 380 cases. Six deaths and two recoveries were also confirmed totaling 25 deaths and 15 recoveries.
• *According to DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire announced that DOH Secretary Francisco Duque tested negative for COVID-19, but decided to continue his home quarantine.
• *Malacañang asked Congress, on March 22, to declare a national emergency and grant the president emergency powers on account of COVID-19.

• March 23
• *Sixteen new cases were confirmed on March 23, totaling 396 cases. Eight deaths and three recoveries were also confirmed totaling 33 deaths and 18 recoveries.
• *The Senate and the House of Representatives had a special session, on March 23, to deliberate President Duterte's request to realign funds for COVID-19 response.
• *The first case in Baguio was confirmed.
• *Sixty-six additional new cases were later confirmed on March 23, surpassing the 400-mark and totaling 462 cases.
• *The House of Representatives approved HB 6616 or "Bayanihan Act" on March 23, with 284-9-0 votes. This will empower President Duterte to handle COVID-19.
• *President Duterte signs Administrative Order No. 26, which grants a maximum of ₱500 daily hazard pay for government personnel who still report for work regardless of employment status during the month-long lockdown of Luzon to control the spread of the new coronavirus disease.
• March 24
• *On March 24, with 12-0-0 votes, the Senate approved Senate Bill 1481 or "We Heal As One" that will grant President Duterte additional powers to handle COVID-19.
• *Combining both versions of the Upper and the Lower Houses, the bill was named "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act". The bill was then sent to President Duterte for approval.
• *Thirty-nine new cases were confirmed on March 24, surpassing the 500-mark and totaling 501 cases. They also confirmed the recovery of one patient, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 19.
• *Fifty-one additional new cases were later confirmed on March 24, totaling 552 cases. They also confirmed two new deaths and two new recoveries of patients, bringing the death toll to 35 and recovered patients to 20.
• *President Duterte had a short live address on March 24. The president commended the front-liners, the fallen doctors and the Congress and assured the public that the government will do its best to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 using the powers bestowed upon him.
• *The first case of COVID-19 in Zamboanga was confirmed on March 24.
• March 25
• *On March 25, President Duterte signed the "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act of 2020" into law, granting him 30 additional powers to handle COVID-19 and its projected aftermath.
• *Eighty-four new cases were confirmed on March 25, surpassing the 600-mark and totaling 636 cases. They also confirmed six new recoveries and three new deaths, bringing the death toll to 38 and recovered patients to 26.
• March 26
• *The first case of COVID-19 in Zambales was confirmed on March 26.
• *Seventy-one new cases were confirmed on March 26, surpassing the 700-mark and totaling 707 cases. They also confirmed two new recoveries and seven new deaths, bringing the death toll to 45 and recovered patients to 28.
• March 27
• *The first case in Oriental Mindoro was confirmed.
• *Ninety-six new cases were confirmed on March 27, surpassing the 800-mark and totaling 803 cases. They also confirmed three new recoveries and nine new deaths, bringing the death toll to 54 and recovered patients to 31.
• *The first case in Bicol was confirmed.
• March 28
• *The first case in Davao Oriental was confirmed.
• *Two hundred seventy-two new cases on March 28 was confirmed, the number leaped both the 900 and 1000th mark, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the Philippines to 1,075. Fourteen new deaths and four new recoveries were also confirmed, bringing the death toll to 68 and recovered patients to 35.
• March 29
• *Three hundred forty-three new cases on March 29 was confirmed, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the country to 1,418. Three new deaths and seven new patients recovered, bringing the death toll to 71 and recovered patients to 42.
• March 30
• *The first cases in Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Occidental, and Lanao del Norte were confirmed.
• *One hundred twenty-eight new cases on March 30 was confirmed, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the country to 1,546. Seven new deaths and no new recovered patients, bringing the death to 78 and recovered patients to 42.
• *President Rodrigo Duterte has announced that his administration is allotting ₱200 billion to help low-income households affected by the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019.
• March 31
• *The first case in Samar, a resident of Calbayog, was confirmed.
• *The first case in Ilocos Norte was confirmed. All provinces in the Ilocos Region now have confirmed cases of COVID-19.
• *Five hundred thirty-eight new cases on March 30 was confirmed, the number leaped the 2000th mark, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the Philippines to 2,084. The death toll is at 88 and recovered patients at 49.

  April

• April 1
• * Protesters demanding food aid were arrested by Quezon City police.
• * President Duterte ordered soldiers to protect themselves from violent unruly protesters and quarantine violators.
• April 2 – The Philippine ambassador to Lebanon, Bernardita Catalla, died of COVID-19 in Beirut at the age of 62. She was the first Filipino diplomat to succumb to the disease.
• April 3 – Three hundred eight-five new cases were confirmed, thereby surpassing the 3,000th mark, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the Philippines to 3,018. Also recorded were twenty-nine new deaths and one new recovery, bringing the death toll to 136 and recovered patients to 52.
• April 5 – President Duterte signs Administrative Order No. 28, which giving of a one-time special risk allowance to government health workers.
• April 6 – It was announced that President Duterte was making consideration on extending the quarantine.
• April 9 – Two hundred six new cases were confirmed on April 9, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the country to 4,076. Twenty-one new deaths and twenty-eight new recoveries were recorded, bringing the death toll to 203 and recovered patients to 124.
• April 12 – The Philippine government now requires public disclosure of personal information of COVID-19 patients to further contain the spread of the virus.
• April 14
• *Two hundred ninety-one new cases were confirmed on April 14, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the country to 5,223. Twenty new deaths and fifty-three new recoveries were recorded, bringing the death toll to 335 and recovered patients to 295.
• * President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the Small Business Relief Program to help some 1.6 million small businesses and their 3.4 million employees affected by the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon and other areas of the country.
• April 18 – Two hundred nine new cases were confirmed on April 18, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the country to 6,087. Ten new deaths and twenty-nine new recoveries were recorded, bringing the death toll to 397 and recovered patients to 516.
• April 24
• * During a press conference that was held at 8 am, Duterte announced another extension for the enhanced community quarantine until May 15, 2020, but only for selected provinces that are considered as high-risk areas. Other provinces will be placed under general community quarantine effective May 1, 2020.
• * Two hundred eleven new cases were confirmed on April 24, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the country to 7,172. Fifteen new deaths and forty new recoveries were recorded, bringing the death toll to 477 and recovered patients to 762.
• April 29 – Two hundred fifty-four new cases were confirmed on April 29, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the country to 8,212. Twenty-eight new deaths and forty-eight new recoveries were recorded, bringing the death toll to 558 and recovered patients to 1,023.
• April 30 – The Supreme Court has allowed reduced bail and release on own recognizance as modes of release for indigent detainees during pandemic.

  May

• May 1 – The enhanced community quarantine has been replaced with the general community quarantine in certain areas with lower risk of community transmission. Meanwhile, high-risk areas such as Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, and several other provinces are still under the enhanced community quarantine.
• May 3 – Two hundred ninety-five new cases were confirmed on May 3, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the country to 9,223. Four new deaths and ninety new recoveries were recorded, bringing the death toll to 607 and recovered patients to 1,214.
• May 6 – Three hundred twenty new cases were confirmed on May 6, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the country to 10,004. Twenty-one new deaths and ninety-eight new recoveries were recorded, bringing the death toll to 658 and recovered patients to 1,506.
• May 14 – The government has lifts restrictions on Filipino departures for overseas employment.
• May 16 – The IATF-EID issued Resolution No. 37, overriding prior plans, placing Metro Manila, the cities of Angeles and Bacoor, and the provinces of Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Zambales under modified enhanced community quarantine, which is more lenient than an ECQ but stricter than a GCQ. Cebu City and Mandaue City were placed under ECQ while the rest of the country was placed under GCQ.
• May 26 – In a meeting of the Metro Manila Council, all mayors of Metro Manila cities have agreed that the National Capital Region will be placed from MECQ to GCQ effective June 1. The local government units may still place certain barangays or villages under lockdown if they see it fit to do so. They have submitted their recommendation to the IATF-EID and will wait for their final decision. If the IATF-EID does agree, public transportation will still have to be limited.
• May 31 – The Enhanced community quarantine in Luzon ends, as most localities downgrade to either general community quarantine or modified general community quarantine.

  June

July

• July 1 – Ninety-two MRT Line 3 workers tested positive for COVID-19.
• July 3 – One hundred twenty-seven MRT Line 3 workers tested positive for COVID-19.
• July 5
• * Tawi-Tawi confirmed its first case from a 44-year-old police officer from Bongao.
• * One hundred seventy-two MRT Line 3 workers tested positive for COVID-19, including 6 station personnel and 166 depot workers.
• July 6
• * Two thousand ninety-nine new cases were confirmed on July 6, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the country to 46,333. One-thousand two hundred fifty-eight are "fresh cases" or were detected in the last three days. Eight hundred forty-one are "late cases" or were part of the validation backlog. Six new deaths and two hundred forty-three new recoveries were recorded, bringing the death toll to 1,303 and recovered patients to 12,185.
• * At least one hundred and eighty-six MRT Line 3 workers tested positive for COVID-19, including 17 station personnel and 169 depot workers.
• July 7 – MRT Line 3 temporarily ceases operations due to a spike in COVID-19 cases among the train personnel for 5 days, until July 11.
• July 8
• * Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte tests positive for COVID-19.
• * Two thousand five hundred thirty-nine new cases were confirmed, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the country to 50,359. One thousand nine hundred twenty-two are "fresh cases" in the last three days. Six hundred seventeen are "late cases" or were part of the validation backlog. Five new deaths and two hundred two new recoveries were recorded, bringing the death toll to 1,314 and recovered patients to 12,588.
• July 11 – One thousand three hundred eighty-seven new cases were confirmed, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the country to 54,222. Nine hundred eighteen are "fresh cases" in the last three days. Four hundred sixty-nine are "late cases" or were part of the validation backlog. Twelve new deaths and eight hundred seven new recoveries were recorded, bringing the death toll to 1,372 and recovered patients to 14,037.
• July 13 – MRT Line 3 resumes operations on limited capacity.
• July 14 – Several Metro Manila hospitals reached full capacity, making the region classified under "danger zone" in terms of bed capacity. Four regions, namely Central Visayas, Calabarzon, Davao Region, and Central Luzon are classified under "warning zone".
• July 15 – Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar tests positive for COVID-19.
• July 16
• * Cebu City shifts to MECQ. Metro Manila remains under GCQ for another two weeks. Provinces and cities under GCQ include: Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Ormoc City, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga City, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Basilan, and Talisay, Minglanilla, and Concepcion in Cebu Province. The rest of the country shifts to MGCQ.
• * Navotas undergoes lockdown until July 29.
• July 17 – Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte tests negative for COVID-19.
• July 20 – Actor and comedian Michael V. tests positive for COVID-19.
• July 21
• * One thousand nine hundred fifty-one new cases were confirmed, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the country to 70,764. Two new deaths and two hundred nine new recoveries were recorded, bringing the death toll to 1,837 and recovered patients to 23,281.
• * President Duterte allows limited face-to-face classes in MGCQ areas as proposed by Education Secretary Leonor Briones which is to be implemented by January 2021.
• * The Philippine government aims to have 10 million Filipinos, or 10 percent of the total current population, tested by 2021.
• July 23 – Free COVID-19 testing is launched at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu City. It is the first free testing outside of Metro Manila.
• July 24 – Two thousand one hundred three new cases were confirmed, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the country to 76,444. Six new deaths and fifteen new recoveries were recorded, bringing the death toll to 1,879 and recovered patients to 24,502.
• July 28 – One thousand six hundred seventy-eight new cases were confirmed, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the country to 83,673. Four new deaths and one hundred seventy-three new recoveries were recorded, bringing the death toll to 1,947 and recovered patients to 26,617.
• July 29 – Navotas lifts lockdown; 5,853 residents were arrested for violating health rules and city ordinances the day before.
• July 31 – Three thousand nine hundred fifty-four new cases were confirmed, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the country to 89,374. Twenty-three new deaths and 38,075 new recoveries were recorded, bringing the death toll to 1,083 and recovered patients to 65,064.

  August

• August 1 – Cebu City downgrades to GCQ. Metro Manila still remains under GCQ. Provinces and cities under GCQ include: Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, Minglanilla, Consolacion, and Zamboanga City. The rest of the country are under MGCQ.
• August 2
• * Five thousand thirty-two new cases were confirmed, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the country to 103,185. Twenty new deaths and three hundred one new recoveries were recorded, bringing the death toll to 2,059 and recovered patients to 65,557.
• * Siquijor confirms first two cases of COVID-19, breaking its 6-month absence. The two cases traveled from Metro Manila through the country's Balik Probinsya program.
• * Front liners and medical groups advocated a "timeout" to President Duterte to revert Metro Manila back on ECQ as COVID-19 cases surges.
• * President Duterte later made a decision to revert Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal back on MECQ starting August 4 until August 18.