1,738 new COVID-19 cases bring Philippines’ tally over 409,000

 The Philippines’ coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caseload increased to 409,574 on Monday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 1,738 new infections as nine laboratories failed to submit data on time.

The five areas with the highest number of new cases were Davao City with 140, Cavite with 117, Rizal with 89, Laguna with 87, and Batangas with 79.

Meanwhile, total recoveries rose to 374,366 after 45 more patients recovered from the respiratory disease.

The death toll also climbed to 7,839 with seven new fatalities, the lowest recorded since August 18.

“Moreover, six cases previously tagged as recovered were reclassified as deaths,” the DOH added.

The remaining 27,369 are active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, 83 percent of which are mild, 8.5 percent are asymptomatic, 3 percent are severe, and 5.3 percent are in critical condition.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said the string of typhoons that recently lashed the country has not affected the turnaround time of COVID-19 test results. 

On average, eight to 10 testing laboratories are unable to submit reports to the DOH on time.—LDF, GMA News