Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 25) — A new batch of 778 COVID-19 cases were reported by the Department of Health on Thursday, as the national case count reached 33,069.
The DOH said 415 of the newly-reported cases are “fresh” or were detected in the last three days, with 250 coming from Metro Manila. The other 363 are “late” cases or were part of the validation backlog.
The tally of recoveries also rose to 8,910, after 255 more beat COVID-19. The country has been registering over 200 recoveries daily in the past two weeks.
Meanwhile, the DOH added eight to the death toll, which now stands at 1,212.
According to the latest update, a total of 452 or more than half of the new cases came from the country’s capital region, while Central Visayas logged 106. The remaining 220 were recorded in other regions across the country.
Among Filipinos abroad, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the total number of cases went up to 8,361 on Thursday, with 10 more contracting the virus. The DFA also counted four additional survivors and one fatality, for a total of 5,076 recoveries and 513 deaths.
The department also noted that four duplicates were removed from the total case count. It said cases reported may be subject to change as the numbers undergo constant cleaning and validation.
Health Spokesperson Ma. Rosario Vergeire said in a virtual media briefing that the spike in cases may be due to the easing of quarantine restrictions in most areas nationwide, as well as the country’s increased testing capacity.
Vergeire on Wednesday said the DOH was able to conduct around 12,000 tests daily in the past week.
Citing an advisory issued by the World Health Organization, she also clarified that there is still no evidence that those who have recovered from COVID-19 are already immune to reinfection.
The WHO said in a scientific brief that “people who assume that they are immune to a second infection” may become complacent and disregard public health advice, which may then result in increased risks of continued transmission.
Over 9.4 million people worldwide have been infected with the viral illness, with some 480,000 deaths and more than 4.7 million recoveries.
