1,657 new cases push Philippines’ COVID-19 tally over 82,000

There are now more than 82,000 Filipinos infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after the Department of Health (DOH) announced 1,657 new cases on Monday, bringing the total to 82,040.

This marks the 13th consecutive day during which over 1,300 new infections were reported.

The five provinces with the highest number of new cases were Metro Manila with 1,017, Laguna with 89, Cavite with 38, Cebu with 31, and Rizal with 31.

Total recoveries also rose to 26,446 after 359 more patients recovered from the respiratory disease, while the death toll climbed to 1,945 with 16 new fatalities.

There are also 53,649 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, 90 percent of which are mild, 9.1 percent are asymptomatic, 0.5 percent are severe, and 0.4 percent are in critical condition.

The DOH said figures reported on Monday were based on data submitted by 59 out of the 90 operational laboratories.

The department also removed 65 duplicate cases from the total tally of infections.

Experts from the University of the Philippines earlier projected that COVID-19 cases in the country would soar past 85,000 by the end of the month, which Malacañang said may prompt Metro Manila’s return to a modified enhanced community quarantine.

Despite the continued rise in cases, the DOH said the Philippines is still not experiencing its second wave of infections.

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to bare his COVID-19 recovery plan in his fifth State of the Nation Address also on Monday. — DVM, GMA News