Philippines’ single-day COVID-19 recoveries hit record high; cases now 9,485

The single-day number of patients who have recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hit a record high on Monday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 101 new recoveries, bringing the total to 1,315.

The DOH also reported 262 new cases, bringing total infections to 9,485 with over a week to go before the enhanced community quarantine is lifted in areas at high risk for transmission.

Of these new cases, 47 percent are from Metro Manila, 33 percent are from Region VII, and 20 percent are from other regions.

Meanwhile, the death toll climbed to 623 after 16 more patients died.

The DOH noted that 54 percent of the confirmed cases are male aged 40 to 59 years old, while 56 percent of fatalities had comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes.

Data from the DOH as of Sunday also show that 113,574 people have been tested for COVID-19, 89 percent of whom tested negative while 11 percent turned out positive.

Despite the continued rise in cases, the Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier expressed confidence that Metro Manila, where 66 percent of infections are concentrated as of Sunday, will “graduate” to a general community quarantine after May 15. 

However, Malacañang said claims that the quarantine in Metro Manila will be downgraded after May 15 are mere “speculations” as it is still too early to tell. —LDF/BM, GMA News