Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 30) — New COVID-19 cases in the country remained high on Tuesday at 9,296, the Department of Health reported.
The latest figures do not yet include data from nine testing laboratories which have yet to submit their reports, according to DOH.
The overall tally of infected now stands at 741,181, of whom 124,680 or 16.8% are currently ill. Some 96% of these active cases exhibit mild symptoms, while 2.3% have no symptoms, 0.6% are critical cases, 0.7% are severe, and 0.39% are moderate.
The report also showed 103 more patients have recovered, with the total now at 603,310. The death toll, on the other hand, rose to 13,191 with five new fatalities, including one earlier tagged as a survivor.
After final validation, the DOH added that it removed nine duplicates from its data, including five recoveries.
The department said the latest daily positivity rate climbed to 20.4% as of noon of March 29. This means 1 in 5 individuals who had themselves tested in a single day was found positive for the coronavirus. Experts said a bigger percentage suggests higher viral transmission within the community, and the need to increase testing capacity.
The National Capital Region and nearby provinces Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal are under the strictest quarantine status until April 4. Authorities are still assessing the latest COVID-19 developments in the five areas to decide whether this classification will be retained or de-escalated.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night also announced placing Santiago City, Isabela under modified enhanced community quarantine, the second most stringent level, for the entire April. Quirino province will likewise be put under MECQ, but only from April 1 to 15. Both areas are located in the Cagayan Valley region.
Among Filipinos abroad, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed 71 new COVID-19 cases, 49 more survivors and another fatality. At least 16,148 Filipinos in 90 foreign countries worldwide have been infected, of whom 9,792 have recovered and 1,048 died.
