by: RJ Espartinez
The Philippines exceeded the 20,000 mark on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after 634 new infections — 313 “fresh” or newly validated and 321 reported late — were reported by the Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday, elevating the total number of cases to 20,382.
114 of the fresh cases came from Metro Manila, 101 came from Region VII, one is a repatriate, while the remaining 97 cases are spread out across the country.
44 late cases came from Metro Manila, 37 came from Region VII, 63 are repatriates, and the 177 remaining cases came from various areas nationwide.
In a bit of good news, recoveries increased to 4,248 with 95 more patients winning the battle against COVID-19.
Death toll, on the other hand, is slowly inching to the 1,000 mark with 10 new deaths, bringing the total number to 984.
Singapore remains on top in Southeast Asia for the most number of COVID-19 cases at 36,922. Indonesia followed behind with 28,818 with the Philippines on its tail.