8,162 new Philippine COVID-19 cases; total breaches 997,000 –DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday reported 8,162 new COVID-19 infections, raising the Philippines' total count of cases to 997,523.

This as two molecular laboratories were not operational while eight labs failed to submit their data.

The DOH daily case bulletin showed that the new cases boosted total active cases to 77,075, 95.5% of which were mild, 1.5% were asymptomatic, 1.2% were severe, and 1% were critical cases.

The total tally of COVID-19 fatalities reached 16,783, with 109 more patients succumbing to the illness. Also, the total number of survivors rose to 903,665, with 20,509 added recoveries.

Meanwhile, the DOH modified the country's total caseload after deleting 19 duplicated cases, of which, 13 were recoveries.

The government placed the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna under a modified enhanced community quarantine until the end of April to arrest the dramatic increase of COVID-19 infections.

OCTA Research had advised the government to maintain a strict lockdown on the NCR until the reproduction number had decreased.

The independent research body said Metro Manila's reproduction number was at 0.93. — DVM, GMA News