Powerful storm forces thousands from homes in virus-hit Philippines

MANILA: Tens of thousands of people were forced into cramped shelters by the powerful storm pounding the Philippines on Friday, making social distancing nearly impossible as the nation battles the coronavirus pandemic. Typhoon Vongfong smashed homes, schools and virus quarantine sites when it hit central Samar island on Thursday, but then weakened into a severe tropical storm on its path north to the capital Manila. The storm struck as tens of millions of Filipinos are hunkered down at home to protect themselves against COVID-19, but more than 140,000 had to flee in central Bicol region because of the powerful storm, disaster officials said. Vongfong packed gusts up to 190 kilometres (120 miles) an hour and drenching rains when it roared into the Philippines. “We have to wear masks and apply distancing at all times,” local police official Carlito Abriz told AFP.