Philippines’ COVID-19 cases rise to 11,876; recoveries now 2,337

The Department of Health (DOH) reported 258 new cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Thursday, bringing the total to 11,876 nearly 60 days since quarantine measures were imposed nationwide to curb transmission.

Total recoveries also rose to 2,337 after 86 more patients recovered from the respiratory illness, while the death toll climbed to 790 after 18 new fatalities were recorded.

Among the new cases, 188 or 73 percent were from Metro Manila, 54 or 21 percent were from various areas across the country, while 16 or 6 percent were from Region VII.

The deputy chief implementer of the government’s COVID-19 response earlier said that there are still 7,000 testing backlogs that will be divided among the country’s 30 licensed laboratories. 

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said 182,412 people had been tested for COVID-19 as of Wednesday, 91 percent of whom were negative while 9 percent tested positive.

She also said that testing centers conducted 9,465 tests on Wednesday, the highest recorded so far since the country achieved its April 30 goal of 8,000 tests per day on May 10. 

Meanwhile, the number of licensed polymerase chain reaction laboratories increased to 29 after one more facility was accredited.

This brings the total number of COVID-19 testing centers, including GeneXpert laboratories, to 31.

A total of 102 other facilities are undergoing the laboratory accreditation process.—LDF, GMA News