Nurse in Cabanatuan City has died due to COVID-19

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 1) — A nurse serving COVID-19 patients has died after contracting the disease, the Philippine Nurses Association Inc. announced Wednesday.

Arvin Pascual succumbed to the novel coronavirus after serving as a medical frontliner against the outbreak.

Pascual was a graduate of the Wesleyan University-Philippines in Cabanatuan City. University president Judge Benjamin Turgano extended sympathies to Pascual's family, acknowledging his legacy as a school alumnus and for serving as a nurse at the Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center in Nueva Ecija.

Pascual followed the fate of 17 doctors who have passed away after getting infected with the disease. Health officials and industry leaders have pointed to the scarce supply of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, which made them vulnerable to the disease.

Patients who do not fully disclose their travel history, exposure, as well as symptoms also put medical workers at risk, Department of Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said.