The Philippines logged 1,006 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, bringing the country’s total cases to 34,073, the Department of Health (DOH) announced Friday.
788 of the new cases are “fresh” or newly validated: 266 came from the National Capital Region, 251 came from Region VII, and 271 came from other areas across the country.
218 of the new cases are late: 113 came from the National Capital Region, 7 came from Region VII, and 98 came from other areas across the country.
Currently, there are 22,947 active COVID-19 cases undertaking medical treatment or quarantine: 22,019 are mild, 791 are asymptomatic, 113 are severe, and 24 are in critical condition.
The country’s rising fatality rate, on the other hand, posted 12 more deaths, elevating the total to 1,224.
In a bit of good news, the DOH confirmed 274 more patients winning the battle against COVID-19, increasing the total number of recoveries to 9,182.
The Health Department said the surge in infections is due to the country’s higher testing capacity at around 16,000 tests per day and “community transmission” or the spread of the virus in selected areas most especially in Cebu.
The country’s case positivity rate is at 6.8 percent, meaning six people test positive for COVID-19 out of every 100 tested. Metro Manila’s rate is at 7.2 percent while Cebu in Central Visayas is at 32.8 percent. (RJ Espartinez)