Hanoi (VNA) - The World Bank hasearmarked a 100-million-USD loan to help the Philippines fight the acuterespiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), thePhilippine Department of Finance said on March 18.
The funds will enable the Department of Healthto procure personal protective equipment for health care workers, along withtesting and laboratory materials, quarantine areas, and other essential equipmentto contain the spread of the pandemic.
The Philippines has so far recorded 193infection cases, including 14 deaths.
Earlier on March 16,Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez announced a financial supportpackage worth 27.1 billion peso (about 526 million USD) to help curb thespread of COVID-19 and provide economic relief to businesses and livelihoodaffected by the threat./.