Philippines' COVID-19 cases top 31,000 with record-high 1,150 new cases

The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines topped 31,000 on Tuesday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported a record-high 1,150 new infections—789 “fresh” or newly validated and 361 reported late—bringing the total to 31,825.

Total recoveries rose to 8,442 after 299 more patients recovered from the respiratory illness, while the death toll climbed to 1,186 with nine new fatalities.

This marks the sixth consecutive day of at least 400 fresh cases and 13th straight day of more than 200 new recoveries.

The DOH also logged the highest number of fresh cases on Tuesday, 207 of which are from Metro Manila, 288 are from Region VII, while the remaining 294 are spread out across the country.

Among the late cases, 110 are from Metro Manila, 32 are from Region VII, while the 219 other patients came from various areas nationwide.

The DOH said it removed seven cases from the total tally of infections after five were found to be duplicates and two were verified to be negative for COVID-19.

As of June 22, the Philippines has 64 licensed laboratories that have tested a total of 558,163 individuals.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier admitted that the DOH has a lot to improve on in terms of its coronavirus response as the department faces a probe by the Office of the Ombudsman. 

President Rodrigo Duterte vouched for the embattled health chief Francisco Duque III amid controversies surrounding the DOH’s pandemic response. —LDF, GMA News