Philippines' COVID-19 cases hit 531,699 with 1,590 new infections

The Philippines’ coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caseload increased to 531,699 on Thursday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 1,590 new infections as two laboratories failed to submit data on time.

Recoveries now total 487,927 after 249 more patients recovered from the respiratory disease.

The death toll also climbed to 10,997 with 55 new fatalities.

“Moreover, 41 cases that were previously tagged as recovered were reclassified as deaths after final validation,” the DOH added.

There are also 32,775 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine.

The Department of Science and Technology said the clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Janssen, the pharmaceutical firms of Johnson & Johnson, will begin this week. 

“Required na 'yung pagdadausan ng clinical trials—ito naman hindi magtatagal siguro mga isang buwan lang ‘yan or ever less—ay gagawin sa lugar na mataas ang incidence ng COVID-19,” Science Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña said.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the government, through the DOH, will spend P362 million for genomic biosurveillance amid the detection of new coronavirus variants worldwide. —LDF, GMA News