The Department of Health (DOH) announced on Tuesday the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country reached 47,873 after 993 fresh and 547 late cases were added in the tally.
The recovery count increased to12,386 while the death toll slightly rose to 1,309 after six more fatalities were recorded. The total number of active cases is now at 34,178.
On the first few days of July, around 1,000 to 2,000 cases were recorded per day, except on July 2 with 294 cases. Within one week, more than 10,000 were reported confirmed cases of the disease.
DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire explained the spike in numbers were brought about by the monitored areas with reported community transmission, and clarified that we are not on second wave.
“We are not experiencing a second wave, but an increase in numbers of positive cases due to increase in testing, and community transmission caused by a lack of implementation of minimum health standards,” Vergeire explained.
The DOH disclosed it has already been coordinating with the DILG and LGUs to tighten isolation protocols for mild and asymptomatic individuals.
Meanwhile, the DOH apologized after it mistakenly identified some Metro Manila areas as emerging hotspots.
It clarified that as of July 5, a significant decline in case growth was observed in Marikina by 68 percent, Muntinlupa by 10 percent, and Makati by 4 percent. The DOH said it is still strictly monitoring Quezon City which had an increase of 34 percent. – Report from Mark Fetalco
