Philippines' COVID-19 recoveries near 2,000; cases rise to 10,794

The number of patients who have recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines moved closer to the 2,000 mark on Sunday, after the Department of Health reported 82 new recoveries, bringing the total to 1,924.

The number of cases nationwide also climbed to 10,794 with 184 new infections, only days to go before the enhanced community quarantine over Metro Manila and other high-risk areas expires on May 15, Friday.

Of these new cases, 77 or 42 percent were from Metro Manila, 75 or 41 percent were from Region VII, while the remaining 32 or 17 percent were spread out across the country.

Sixty-five percent of the total cases nationwide were still concentrated in Metro Manila, while 13 percent were in Region VII.

Meanwhile, the death toll climbed to 719 after 15 more patients succumbed to the respiratory illness.

Fifty-three other patients are in severe condition while 25 are critical.

The Philippines now has 26 COVID-19 testing centers after two more facilities, the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital and the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center, were accredited by the DOH.

It said 149,640 people had been tested as of May 9, and 90 percent of whom tested negative while 10 percent came out positive.

“[The] overall capacity to manage and admit COVID-19 patients are adequate with more than 50 percent beds and mechanical ventilators in ICU, isolation, and COVID wards available,” the DOH also said in a report.  —LBG, GMA News