Philippines’ COVID-19 cases top 13,000; recoveries now 2,932

The cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines breached the 13,000 mark on Wednesday after the Department of Health (DOH) announced 279 new infections, raising the total to 13,221.

Total recoveries also leaped to 2,932 after 89 more patients recovered from the respiratory illness, while the death toll climbed to 842 with five new fatalities.

Among the new cases, 150 or 54 percent were from Metro Manila, 14 were from Region VII, while the remaining 115 patients were spread out across the country.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said that the Philippines is already experiencing its second wave of COVID-19 infections, which started in March following a month-long lull in new cases caused by a lack of widespread testing. 

Duque also warned of a possible third wave in Metro Manila should quarantine restrictions be eased without ample testing. 

Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire defended the government’s policy of not testing asymptomatic individuals with no travel or exposure history, arguing that 85 percent of COVID-19 cases manifest symptoms. 

Data from the DOH show that 207,823 people have been tested for COVID-19 as of May 15.

Thirty-one polymerase chain reaction laboratories have so far been licensed by the DOH, while over 100 other facilities are undergoing the accreditation process. —LDF, GMA News