Philippines’ single-day COVID-19 recoveries hit new record high; cases now 10,343

The single-day number of patients who have recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines hit a new record high on Thursday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 112 new recoveries, bringing the total to 1,618.

The DOH also announced 339 new infections, bringing total cases nationwide to 10,343.

Meanwhile, the death toll rose to 685 after 27 more patients succumbed to respiratory illness.

The highest single-day recoveries previously recorded was 101 on May 4.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire explained that the uptick in cases in the past few days was caused by the continued expansion of the country’s testing capacity, which has sped up the clearing of backlogs.

“Hindi po ibig sabihin na dumadami ang mga bagong kaso. Ang ibig sabihin lang po ay natatapos nang i-proseso ang mga datos na naiwan nitong nakaraang linggo,” she said in a virtual press briefing.

On Wednesday, the number of new COVID-19 cases breached the 300 mark for the first time since April 6 when 414 new infections were reported. 

The Philippines has 23 COVID-19 testing centers while 84 others are undergoing the laboratory accreditation process.

Among the 339 new cases, 205 or 61 percent came from Region VII, 110 or 32 percent were from Metro Manila, while the remaining 24 are spread out across the country.

The DOH also noted that 66 percent of the total confirmed cases as of Wednesday were from Metro Manila.

Despite earlier findings by a public health expert showing that the case doubling time in Metro Manila has slowed “dramatically,” the DOH-National Capital Region urged residents to remain vigilant against COVID-19.

With the quarantine expiring on May 15, lawmaker Joey Salceda also said that the Philippines is “ready” for the consequences of easing lockdowns. —LDF, GMA News