The Department of Health (DOH) reported 1,504 coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections Friday, bringing the country’s total caseload 447,039.
The DOH said 12 testing laboratories that failed to submit on time.
Latest figures from the DOH showed that many of Friday’s additional cases were from Davao City topped the list with 122 cases, followed by Rizal (85), Quezon City (80), Santiago City, Isabela (67) and Bulacan (64).
Active cases stand at 29,001 or 6.5% of the total infections in the country.
Recoveries reached 409,329 after 273 more people survived the deadly respiratory illness. Total number of recoveries account for 91.6% of the total cases.
COVID-19 deaths is now up to 8,709 after the DOH reported 8 new deaths.
Even with news of Covid-19 vaccines being administered in other countries, the Health Department warns of relaxing health restrictions since the risk of contracting Covid-19 is still high. Health officials urged Filipinos to continue to follow minimum health standards and avoid any type of mass gatherings, such as Christmas parties during the holidays.
Contrary to the DOH’s campaign the past years, health officials this year discouraged the public from using trumpets and whistles as alternatives to firecrackers in welcoming the new year to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“What is new for this year’s campaign is we don’t recommend the use of noisemakers using the mouth that will cause the transfer of saliva, like whistles and trumpets,” Health Undersecretary for Public Health Services Myrna Cabotaje said in an online launch of the DOH’s anti firecracker campaign on Thursday.
The Philippines reported Friday the highest number of new cases in Southeast Asia. However, Indonesia still leads the region with the highest number of total cases with 598,933 and highest number of active cases with 88,622. Rommel F. Lopez