The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines breached the 32,000 mark on Wednesday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 470 more infections—357 “fresh” or newly validated and 113 reported “late”—bringing the total to 32,295.
READ: Record 1,150 new cases sets total near 32k, UP team cites relaxed lockdown for surge
Total recoveries also rose to 8,656 after 214 more patients recovered from the respiratory illness.
The death toll climbed to 1,204 with 18 new fatalities.
This marks the 14th straight day of over 200 new recoveries.
On Tuesday, the Philippines recorded its highest number of new cases in a single day at 1,150 as well as the highest number of fresh cases at 789.
Among the fresh cases, 159 are from Metro Manila, 141 are from Region VII, while the remaining 57 are spread out across the country.
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said that the pooled testing of samples for COVID-19 is now undergoing an ethics review by the Single Joint Research Ethics Board.
READ: PH virus cases now at 30,682
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said pooled testing refers to the process of grouping different samples together to maximize laboratory capacity.
Vergeire said the ethics review will help identify the appropriate number of specimens for pooled testing and which laboratories are capable of performing such tests.
READ: Critical care rate at 35%; cases near 30k
Over 8,000 OFWs test positive
A total of 8,324 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) were positive for COVID-19 and 508 have died, a Foreign Affairs official said Wednesday.
During a Senate hearing, Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said that as of June 23, 5,057 OFWs recovered from the respiratory disease, and 2,759 are active cases.
She said the countries in Middle East and Africa accounted for the most number of OFWs who were infected with the virus. They listed 6,194 cases.
She also told senators that repatriation is continuing. At present, there were 54,736 Filipino migrant workers who returned to the country through chartered flights.
The cost of repatriation was depleting DFA funds, she said.
Angeles market closed down
The Angeles City government locked down the entire Pampang Public Market here after a 21-year-old vendor reportedly died of COVID-19 Wednesday.
“All vendors and stall owners were ordered to close their stores to pave the way for health authorities to disinfect the entire market, which will be closed until further notice,” said an insider at the City Hall.
The victim’s family, including his parents, were brought to Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital in City of San Fernando for COVID 19 rapid testing.
Dr. Froilan Canlas, Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC) officer-in-charge, said the deceased was from Barangay Pampang, and was initially diagnosed with diabetes.
7 UP Diliman frontliners test positive
Seven frontliners at Kanlungang Palma and the University of the Philippines Health Service (UPHS) tested positive for COVID-19, a university bulletin said Tuesday.
The bulletin said the patients have been isolated while their close contacts have been traced by the UPHS and the Public Health Unit.
The services will continue at the Kanlungang Palma and the UPHS.
Leachon laments lack of urgency
THE government showed a lack of urgency in buying protective equipment for its health care workers during its initial lockdown against COVID-19 in March, a former special adviser to government’s task force on the pandemic said Wednesday.
READ: ‘Leachon tag team victim’
Public health expert Dr. Tony Leachon made the remark during an interview on Wednesday on ANC after Health Secretary Francisco Duque denied claims that the country was late in procuring personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical gear.
“Number 1, (there was) the lack of sense of urgency particularly during the time when we had time to prepare our health care capacity. I know that there was a lot of competition because the rest of the world was stockpiling but others were able to prepare,” Leachon said.
Leachon cited Vietnam as an example, saying it is “10 times poorer” with nearly a similar number of population with the Philippines at 95 million.
