Philippines logs 562 new COVID-19 cases, total now at 27,799

The Philippines on Thursday logged 562 more cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)—481 “fresh” or newly validated and 81 reported late—bringing the total to 27,799.

The Department of Health (DOH) also announced that total recoveries rose to 7,090 after 270 more patients recovered from the respiratory illness, while the death toll climbed to 1,116 with nine new fatalities.

This marks the eighth day in a row where more than 200 new recoveries were reported and the third consecutive day of single-digit new deaths.

The DOH said it removed one case from the tally of infections after learning that the patient had already died by the time of verification.

Among the fresh cases, 120 are from Metro Manila and 273 are from Region VII, while the remaining 88 are spread out across the country.

Among the late cases, 33 are from Metro Manila and 26 are from Region VII, while the 22 other patients are in various areas nationwide.

There are also 19,310 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, 18,810 of which are mild and 416 are asymptomatic, while 65 are severe and 19 are in critical condition.

The areas with the highest number of infections are still the National Capital Region with 14,054 cases and Cebu City with 2,988 cases as of June 17.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire noted the recent uptick in infections in Region VII, adding that the DOH is providing the national government with policy recommendations for Central Visayas based on their data.

Meanwhile, Philippines now has 60 licensed laboratories that have tested a total of 495,180 individuals as of June 16.

Worldwide, COVID-19 has claimed over 445,000 lives and sickened more than 8.2 million people. -MDM/BM, GMA News