In its latest bulletin, DOH said 366 were identified as “fresh” cases— or those whose test results were released within the last three days. The agency has been separating the total count into fresh and late cases since late May.
The remaining 173 cases were, meanwhile, part of the validation backlog, 142 of which were recorded in Metro Manila, the agency noted.
The capital region also listed the highest number of fresh cases with 153 new infections, while Central Visayas reported 110.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 14)— The Department of Health on Sunday reported 539 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the Philippines’ overall tally of infections to 25,930.
Fourteen more fatalities were also recorded, raising the infectious disease’s death toll to 1,088. Recoveries also rose to 5,954, as 248 more individuals survived COVID-19.
Metro Manila earlier eased its lockdown measures in a bid to gradually restart the economy and help workers affected by the health crisis. President Rodrigo Duterte is set to decide on the new quarantine rules on Monday, but Malacanang earlier said the development on cases “does not inspire relaxation.”
Despite spike in deaths, PH fatality rate still ‘going down’
Health officials also earlier addressed concerns on the spike in coronavirus-related deaths, saying the country’s case fatality rate has continued to “go down.”
In a virtual presser, epidemiologist Dr. John Wong acknowledged the sudden rise in fatalities in the past two days, but explained that the overall picture sees an improvement in Philippines’ data.
“Even if you look at the past two days, we have very few actual deaths. In fact, the median is just nine,” said Wong, a member of the sub technical working group tapped by the country’s COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force.
Wong also stressed that there may be a delay in the reportage of death count due to the validation process by respective local governments and the DOH itself.
“The actual dates of death would occur first, but that still has to be reported to the LGU, and later on to the regional offices and DOH. And DOH has to validate it. It takes some time before an actual death is reported. That explains the delay in reporting,” Wong added.
More cases abroad
Meanwhile, coronavirus cases among Filipinos abroad also increased to 5,541, as the Department of Foreign Affairs reported 22 more overseas infections on Sunday.
Death toll among Filipinos abroad is at 409, while a total of 2,491 recovered from the infectious disease.
Around the world, the mysterious virus has infected over 7.8 million individuals in 188 different countries including China, the epicenter of the outbreak.
Wong on reporting COVID-19 deaths: The actual date of deaths would have to be reported to the LGUs, then to the regional offices. DOH will then have to validate it
It takes some time before an actual death is reported. That explains the delay in reporting. We have to validate. pic.twitter.com/VFGQDJoQdE
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) June 14, 2020
