ONE hundred twenty-eight more succumbed to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while 5,249 new cases were reported yesterday by the Department of Health, raising the number of infections in the country to 1,364,239.
In its latest bulletin, the DOH said the new cases do not include figures from eight laboratories that failed to submit their data to the COVID-19 Document Repository System (CDRS) last June 19.
The death toll from the deadly virus rose to 23,749, still the second highest in Southeast Asia, behind Indonesia. The death toll is just 251 short of the 24K mark, for a case fatality rate of 1.74.
Active cases dipped slight to 55,847 from 57,679 last Sunday, with 91.4 mild cases, 4.1 percent asymptomatic cases, 1.9 percent severe cases, 1.3 percent critical cases, and 1.3 percent moderate cases.
The DOH said 7,053 more patients have recovered, raising the number of survivors to 1,284,643. This means that 94.2 percent of COVID patients have recovered.
Four more overseas Filipinos have contracted the deadly virus, raising the number to 20,435, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The DFA reported no new fatality as the death toll among Filipinos overseas due to the coronavirus stood at 1,220.
There were five new recoveries, bringing the number of survivors to 12,101.
San Carlos (Negros Occidental) Bishop Gerardo Alminaza on Sunday became the 11th Filipino prelate to test positive for the deadly virus.
“I found out just this afternoon (Sunda) that I tested positive for COVID-19, which requires that I isolate myself and submit myself for treatment,” Alminaza said in Facebook post.
“Now, God allows me to be on the other side among the infected of this dreaded virus,” he added.
The bishop said he is getting the “best possible medical attention” from the government and faith-based organizations.
“I ask for everyone’s prayers for my fast healing as well as for other COVID-19 patients, even as I assure you too of my constant prayers and offerings,” said Alminaza said, adding the Vicar General of the Diocese of San Carlos, Msgr. Erwin Magnanao, will take over his responsibilities.
The other Filipino bishops who had contracted the dreaded disease were Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples Prefect Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Ilagan Bishop David William Antonio, Kalookan Bishop Emeritus Deogracias Iñiguez, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, Imus Bishop Emeritus Manuel Sobreviñas, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Antonio Rañola, San Fernando (Pampanga) Archbishop Florentino Lavarias, and Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera. — With Ashzel Hachero
