PH logs 220 new COVID-19 cases

The Philippines registered 220 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, data from the Department of Health’s (DOH) showed.

This is the lowest number recorded in the past 81 days or 12 weeks.

The active cases also dipped to 6,635.

The current tally brought the nationwide caseload to 4,166,089 cases while the total recoveries also climbed to 4,092,970.

Meanwhile, the country’s death toll stayed at 66,484, marking the sixth straight day of no new deaths.

In the past two weeks, the National Capital Region (NCR) recorded the highest number of cases with 1,304, followed by Central Luzon with 887, Calabarzon with 749, Western Visayas with 448, and Cagayan Valley with 416.

In cities and provinces, Quezon City recorded the most new cases in the past 14 days with 341, Cavite with 246, Iloilo with 217, Bulacan with 200, and Pampanga with 187.

On Monday, 5,902 individuals were tested, while 312 testing labs submitted data.

The COVID-19 bed occupancy is at 16.3%, with 3,958 occupied and 20,318 vacant on July 3.

Public Health Emergency

Earlier, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said that only a formal order from President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is needed to lift the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Herbosa said the President told him that it seems the public health emergency has already been lifted because of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

"Ang sabi niya (Marcos) kasi, de facto, parang nakalift na rin tayo diba? Optional na ang masking 'di ba? Hindi na inextend 'yung ano..." Herbosa told reporters.

"Wala pang formal, we're still waiting for the [order], eh de facto naman tayo, ang dami na, nagpunta ko sa mall ang dami na di nagmamask eh," he added.

But we still have to protect ourselves. I think the public health warning is you still have to protect yourself if you are vulnerable – and you still need to get the vaccine if you want to be specially protected," he added. —Sherylin Untalan/ VAL, GMA Integrated News