The Department of Health (DOH) is expecting an increase in the number of reported COVID-19 cases in the coming days as late data from some laboratories will be added.
The DOH clarified that there is no cause for concern as the tally of delayed inputs from more than 30 laboratories will only be included.
A total of 3,176 confirmed cases are reported based on the total tests done by 105 out of 117 current operational labs. 12 laboratories were unable to submit their data to the COVID-19 Data Repository System (CDRS) last September 8.
“We may have an irregularly high number of cases in the coming days as cases from these laboratories get reported. We will ensure to highlight which of these cases are late reports,” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire explained.
The DOH said that the inclusion of addresses and contact numbers of patients have become mandatory to help speed up the contact tracing efforts of the government.
“This means there are confirmed cases per day that had not been reported yet officially and will come out this week, because ngayon nakaka-comply na ang laboratories (because laboratories are now complying),” Vergeire stated.
She added that reporting units may be regularly submitting their data but fail to meet the 6 p.m. cutoff and that the data must be rendered into their official systems like the COVID KAYA and CDRS.
The DOH warned noncompliant laboratories that they may face suspension or cancellation of licenses.
As of Sept. 10, there are 248,947 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 186,058 recoveries and 4,066 fatalities nationwide. – Report from Mark Fetalco
