Philippine COVID-19 cases hit 477,807 as recoveries top 448,258

The Philippines’ coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tally rose to 477,807 on Sunday after the Department of Health (DOH) announced 891 new infections as 11 laboratories failed to submit reports on time.

Davao City tallied the highest number of new cases at 65, followed by Rizal with 55, Isabela with 50, Manila with 40, and Quezon City with 37.

The DOH said the low number of new cases was “due to a decrease in the number of patients seen in COVID-19 laboratories during the New Year.”

“The DOH reminds the public to be cautious in interpreting these numbers as an increase in cases in the coming weeks is still possible. The DOH continues to assess the extent of the effects of the holiday season on COVID-19 transmission,” it added.

Meanwhile, total recoveries rose to 448,258 after 8,316 more patients recovered from the respiratory disease.

The DOH earlier said it would report time-based recoveries every Sunday as part of “Oplan Recovery,” where asymptomatic and mild cases are re-tagged as recovered after completing 14 days of quarantine without developing symptoms.

The death toll also climbed to 9,257 with four new fatalities, marking the third straight day of single-digit deaths.

There were also 20,292 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine.

Globally, COVID-19 has claimed over 1.8 million lives and infected more than 84 million people. — DVM, GMA News