The Philippines has posted 199 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, bringing the country’s total number of infections to 9,684, the Department of Health (DOH) announced Tuesday.

Total recoveries continue to increase with 93 more patients having successfully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 1,408.

The DOH’s daily tally also confirmed 14 new deaths from the infection, bringing the country’s COVID-19 death toll to 637.

Meanwhile, the total number of accredited testing centers in the country jumped to 23 after the Cebu TB Reference Laboratory has been certified by the DOH

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said 66 percent of the COVID-19 infections in the country as of Monday came from Metro Manila, noting a bit of good news that the NCR posted a 71 percent drop on new infections from January to April 19 and April 20 to May 4. 

“However, cases in Region VII increased in proportion from 2 percent since January to April 19, 2020 to 42 percent for the period of April 20 to May 4,” she added. 

In Southeast Asia, Singapore still holds the top spot for the most number of COVID-19 infections at 19,410. Indonesia followed with 12,071 cases trailed by the Philippines.  (RJ Espartinez)