ONE hundred twenty-four more patients died while 9,227 new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases were reported by the Department of Health yesterday that raised the number of infections in the country to 962,307.
In its latest bulletin, the DOH said the number of fatalities rose to 16,265 for a case fatality rate of 1.69.
The agency said the new cases did not include figures from eight laboratories that failed to submit their data to the COVID-19 Document Repository System (CDRS) while one laboratory was not operational last April 19.
There were 19,699 more recoveries, raising the number of survivors to 829,608, while 116,434 remained as active cases, of which 96.7 percent are mild cases, 1.3 percent asymptomatic cases, 0.8 percent severe cases, 0.6 percent critical cases, and 0.52 percent moderate cases.
Five more overseas Filipinos have tested positive for the deadly virus, bringing the total number of cases to 18,165 in 91 countries and territories.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said apart from the five new cases, it did not receive any reports on new recoveries and fatalities from its 94 embassies and consulates.
The current death toll among overseas Filipinos due to the virus stands at 1,121, while 11,162 have survived the virus. The DFA said 5, 882 are still undergoing treatment.
Defense Secretary and National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chairman Delfin Lorenzana has recovered from COVID-19 and has returned to work.
“I am OK. Hindi nga ako nagka-symptoms…Tapos na ang quarantine ko kahapon (I am OK. I had no symptoms… My quarantine ended yesterday (Tuesday),” Lorenzana told reporters.
Lorenzana, 72, a retired Army general, tested positive for the virus last April 6 and promptly went on isolation to avoid infecting others.
Several DND officials and staff who were exposed to Lorenzana also went on quarantine.
They all tested negative for the virus.
The Department of National Defense first announced the recovery of Lorenzana through social media.
“Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has completed the mandatory requirement period and has tested negative for COVID-19,” the DND said.
Seven Cabinet members have contracted the virus since last year, including Lorenzana and his deputy in the task force, Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano, who was infected twice last year.
The five other Cabinet members who also tested positive for the virus were Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Education Secretary Leonor Briones, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.
The Department of Justice said 85 of its employees have contracted the virus since last year while two died.
Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar said majority of the cases happened this year.
Data provided by Villar showed that since last January, 67 DOJ employees have tested positive for the deadly virus while only 18 were infected last year.
She said that of the 67 cases this year, 22 are still active cases while 43 have recovered. — With Ashzel Hachero and Victor Reyes
