The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday has reported 552 cases of COVID-19, including 119 fresh cases and 433 late cases. Based on the latest data, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 18,638. The death toll climbed to 960 while total recoveries increased to 3,979.
The DOH on Friday started classifying its reports as fresh cases or those with results which have been released within three days, and late cases or those with results which have been delayed four days or longer.
The health department also explained one of the factors to consider in seeing the downward trend in cases per day is the onset of the illness in a patient. Epidemiologist Troy Gepte said the case doubling time has now become longer which has now reached almost seven days.
Meanwhile, the DOH pointed out the difference in the number of positive and confirmed cases must not be used as basis in the validation of the DOH. Cases have been validated thoroughly to provide accurate reporting.
DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said there are still 6,800 test results from laboratories that need to be validated by the DOH. – Report from Mark Fetalco
