1,387 new cases push Philippines’ COVID-19 tally to 444,164

The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines rose to 444,164 on Wednesday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 1,387 new infections as 13 laboratories failed to submit data on time.

Batangas logged the highest number of new cases at 71, followed by Quezon City with 70, Davao del Norte with 64, Benguet with 59, and Quezon province with 57.

Total recoveries also rose to 408,942 after 156 more patients recovered from the respiratory disease, while the death toll climbed to 8,677 with seven new fatalities.

The remaining 26,545 are active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine.

Meanwhile, the DOH urged event organizers to ensure adherence to health protocols after experts from the OCTA Research group warned that conferences and seminars may become “superspreaders” of COVID-19. 

The national government was urged to reconsider its decision to allow such events in areas under general community quarantine. 

The experts also identified Makati City, Davao City, Baguio City, and the municipality of Mankayan in Benguet as “high-risk” areas for COVID-19 due to their rising number of infections. —LDF, GMA News