The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported the total number of COVID-19 cases is now at 11,618 after 268 more patients tested positive for the disease. The recovery tally also reached 2,251 after 145 patients recovered while fatalities increased to 772 with the death of 21 more patients.
There are currently 8,595 active cases.
The DOH is confident it will reach its target of 30,000 daily tests by month’s end as part of preparations on the possible increase in cases. It also assured the agency is transparent in releasing information regarding the county’s COVID-19 situation
“The Department of Health appreciates the concerns raised by the UP COVID-19 Pandemic Response in its policy note No. 6 dated May 8, 2020. Ang DOH po ay gumawa na ng mga hakbang para po ma-correct itong mga tinatawag nilang data errors (The DOH has made measures to correct what they call as data errors) found in the April 24 and April 25 data drops,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III explained.
“We continuously rectify the data the moment we identify any issue. For example, inconsistencies in the formatting of the date, case classification and proper identification of residence. Nevertheless, the DOH remains committed to transparency, and we welcome feedback from the expert community,” he added.
Duque pointed out the error is less than one percent and will not affect the interpretation and decision-making of the task force.
Senator Vicente Sotto III asked the DOH to be accurate on the information it releases.
The DOH is coming up with a new surveillance information system called COVID KAYA to prevent the reoccurrence of the said errors. – Report from Mark Fetalco
