Philippines’ COVID-19 tally breaches 32,000 with 470 new infections

The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines breached the 32,000 mark on Wednesday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 470 more infections—357 “fresh” or newly validated and 113 reported late—bringing the total to 32,295.

Total recoveries also rose to 8,656 after 214 more patients recovered from the respiratory illness, while the death toll climbed to 1,204 with 18 new fatalities.

This marks the 14th straight day of over 200 new recoveries.

On Tuesday, the Philippines recorded its highest number of new cases in a single day at 1,150 as well as the highest number of fresh cases at 789. 

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the country’s healthcare system can still cope with COVID-19 cases despite the uptick in recent weeks.

“Bagamaan tumataas ang mga kaso sa ating bansa, ang pagtaas naman nito ay gradual at hindi biglaan. Ang ibig sabihin po nito ay nakakayanan ng ating current health system ang pagtaas ng mga kasong ito,” she said.

“Atin pong ineexpect na tataas pa rin ang kaso habang unti unti po nating binubuksan ang ating ekonomiya, bahagyang niluluwagan ang community restrictions, at patuloy na tumataas ang ating testing capacity,” she added.

Among the fresh cases, 159 are from Metro Manila, 141 are from Region VII, while the remaining 57 are spread out across the country.

Among the late cases, 66 are from Metro Manila, four are from Region VII, while the 43 other patients came from various areas nationwide.

As of June 22, the Philippines has 48 certified polymerase chain reaction facilities and 17 GeneXpert laboratories that have tested a total of 568,633 individuals.

Vergeire said the country’s positivity rate also continues to go down as testing capacity increases.

As of June 20, the Philippines has a positivity rate of 6.9 percent.

“Ito ay senyales na maaaring ang testing na ginagawa natin ay sapat at ang transmission ng virus ay nababawasan na rin,” Vergeire said.—LDF, GMA News