The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Thursday a record-high of new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country at 3,954, bringing the total count to 89,374. The recovery tally also climbed to 65,064 as new reported recoveries reached another record high at 38,075.
The death toll rose to 1,938 after 23 succumbed to the disease. There are currently 22,327 active cases.
The DOH explained the spike in recoveries is due to enhanced data reconciliation efforts with LGUs through Oplan Recovery.
Based on the total case count of 37,514 last June 30 which significantly increased to 89,374 on July 30, over 51,000 cases have been added within a single month. This surpassed the projection of UP Octa Research group of 85,000 cases by July 31. The group’s latest projection shows that Philippines may reach 150,000 cases by the end of August.
“‘Yung isang recommendation namin, syempre ‘yung problem dito, is ‘yung health care natin, ‘yung hospitals natin (One of our recommendations, considering our problem on health care, is our hospitals). We’re near capacity. So if we want to slow this down, we can impose more strict quarantine, para hindi ma-overwhelm ‘yung frontliners natin (to prevent overwhelming out frontliners),” Dr. Guido Gavid said.
David stated that the NCR remains the epicenter of COVID-19 since 60 percent of total cases in the country are from Metro Manila, but added that “we’re actually seeing positive indicators.”
‘Yung reproduction number sa NCR, nagdi-decrease, which is surprising. So kahit nag-GCQ tayo, it decreased from above 1.75, ngayon nasa 1.3 na lang siya (The reproduction number in NCR is decreasing which is surprising. Even with the GCQ, it decreased from above 1.75 to just 1.3).”
The group said high-risk areas that need close monitoring include Calabarzon, Bulacan, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga, and Davao del Sur.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin gave assurance regarding the vaccine. “The Philippines is a friendly close neighbor and we will give priority to its needs once we succeed in developing a vaccine.”
– Report from Mark Fetalco
