Philippines logs 539 more COVID-19 cases; total nears 26,000

The Philippines on Sunday logged 539 more cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)—366 “fresh” or newly validated and 173 reported late—bringing the total to 25,930.

The Department of Health (DOH) also announced that total recoveries rose to 5,954 after 248 more patients recovered from the respiratory illness, while the death toll climbed to 1,088 with 14 new fatalities.

An epidemiologist earlier said the Philippines’ case fatality rate dropped below the global average to 4.24 percent as of June 13. 

The DOH also said that the rise in the number of deaths in recent days was caused by the delayed reporting of fatalities by local government units.

Among the fresh cases, 153 are from Metro Manila and 110 are from Region VII, while the remaining 103 are spread out across the country.

Among the late cases, 142 are from Metro Manila and five are from Region VII, while the 26 other patients came from various areas nationwide.

As of June 12, the Philippines has 43 certified polymerase chain reaction facilities and 15 GeneXpert laboratories that have tested a total of 456,949 individuals. — BM, GMA News