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Philippines concerned as 2,099 cases push COVID-19 total to over 46k


The Philippines’ tally of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases breached the 46,000 mark on Monday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 2,099 more infections—only a day after a record 2,434 new cases added to the Philippines' total.

The 2,099 new cases consist of 1,258 “fresh” or newly validated cases and 841 cases reported late, and brings the total to 46,333.

Total recoveries also rose to 12,185 after 243 more patients recovered from the respiratory disease, while the death toll climbed to 1,303 with six new fatalities.

The Philippines now has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases across Southeast Asia, overtaking Singapore with 44,983 infections and trailing behind Indonesia with 64,958.

“Dapat po ba natin itong ikabahala? Ang sagot po namin, oo, dahil nakikita po natin na tumataas muli ang bilang ng mga kaso,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a briefing.

“Ngunit ibig sabihin po ba nito wala na tayong magagawa? Hindi po. May magagawa po tayo. Meron na po tayong established protocols na dapat nating sundin upang makaiwas tayo sa virus,” she added.

The number of fresh cases also reached a new record high, 601 of which are from Metro Manila, 280 are from Region VII, 48 are repatriates, while the remaining 329 are spread out across the country.

The DOH noted that the fresh cases reported on Monday were only based on data submitted by 56 out of 73 operational laboratories.

Among the late cases, 397 are from Metro Manila, 186 are from Region VII, 46 are repatriates, while the 212 other patients came from various areas nationwide.

There are also 32,845 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine.

The DOH also said it removed 20 duplicate cases from the total tally of infections.

As of July 4, the Philippines has 55 certified polymerase chain reaction facilities and 20 GeneXpert laboratories that have tested a total of 767,143 individuals.

Meanwhile, 1,309 or 41.79 percent of intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients are currently occupied while 2,000 or 20.15 percent of mechanical ventilators are in use.

As of July 4, the Philippines has 55 certified polymerase chain reaction facilities and 20 GeneXpert laboratories that have tested a total of 738,502 individuals. 

Meanwhile, 1,306 or 40.74 percent of intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients are currently occupied while 1,971 or 19.89 percent of mechanical ventilators are in use.

Malacañang earlier warned that the stringent enhanced community quarantine could be reimposed over Metro Manila if hospitals are overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases. 

The DOH earlier noted an uptick in infections in six areas in Metro Manila and Cebu. —LDF/NB/BM, GMA News

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