DOH: Massive data harmonization leads to close to 4k new cases, 38k recoveries

Data reconciliation efforts with local government units led to the reporting of a record-high 3,954 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and a staggering 38,075 new recoveries on Thursday, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

The DOH explained that its massive data harmonization efforts identified 37,166 additional recoveries on top of the 909 newly validated recoveries reported by regional and epidemiological surveillance units for July 30.

“The same reconciliation efforts also explain the 3,954 cases reported today, of which 1,320 cases are fresh cases, and 2,634 are late cases,” the DOH said in a statement.

Over 3,000 new recoveries were identified between July 12 and 14, while the DOH data team re-tagged some 5,000 mild and asymptomatic cases as recoveries on July 15.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said that repeat tests would no longer be required in order for COVID-19 patients to be declared a recovery since a medical assessment indicating the resolution of symptoms would be enough. 

“Current recovery policies now show that at the 10th day of illness, the risk of transmitting the virus to other people is significantly reduced,” the DOH said.

The department added that data from harmonization efforts will be reported every 15 days.

The Philippines has logged a total of 89,374 COVID-19 cases with 65,078 recoveries and 1,983 deaths as of Thursday afternoon.

This marks the first time that new cases topped 3,000 and the 16th day in a row during which more than 1,300 new cases were announced.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to announce “major changes” to the country’s pandemic response later on Thursday. —LDF, GMA News