Philippines’ COVID-19 cases top 14,000; recoveries now at 3,249

The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines breached the 14,000 mark on Sunday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 258 new infections, raising the total to 14,035.

Total recoveries also increased to 3,249 after 72 more patients recovered from the respiratory disease, while the death toll climbed to 868 with five new fatalities.

Among the new cases, 195 or 75 percent were from Metro Manila, 51 were spread out across the country, while the remaining 12 were repatriates.

The DOH said 265,061 people had been tested for COVID-19 as of Friday, 7.6 percent, or 20,264 of whom tested positive.

The department earlier explained that various factors caused the discrepancy between the number of confirmed cases reported daily and the actual number of people who have tested positive, including the lack of surveillance officers and duplication of names.

Meanwhile, among the latest polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratories to be licensed by the DOH were the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory and the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, bringing the total number of PCR testing centers to 34.

A total of 120 other facilities were undergoing the five-step laboratory accreditation process, 92 of which were already at Stage 3 and above. — DVM, GMA News