THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday reported nearly 3,000 new positive cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), with majority of them coming from the National Capital Region, which continues to be the hotspot in the country’s battle against the pandemic.
In its latest bulletin, the DOH said of the 2,965 new cases, 1,575 of them from the National Capital Region, followed by Negros Occidental (237), Laguna (151), Cavite (129), and Batangas (95).
Overall, the total number of COVID-19 countries rose to 197,164, with 34 more deaths, raising the number of fatalities to 3,038.
Majority of the new deaths were also recorded in NCR with 22. Other deaths were reported from Central Visayas (4), Calabarzon (3), Bicol Region (2), Northern Mindanao (1), MIMAROPA (1), and repatriate (1).
The DOH said there were 368 new recoveries, meaning the number of survivors rose to 132,396.
Globally, as of August 24, there were 23,311,719 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 806,410 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said 25 more overseas Filipinos were added to the list of COVID positives, raising the total to 10,028 in 73 countries.
The DFA added the number of recoveries increased to 6,029 after 15 new recoveries were recorded yesterday.
For the second straight day, no new fatality among members of the overseas Filipino community was reported.
The Middle East and African regions continue to lead other regions in terms of cases and deaths among overseas Filipinos with 6,949 and 461, respectively.
In terms of deaths, the Americas came in behind the Middle East and Africa with 178, followed by Europe with 95 and eight in the Asia-Pacific region.
Europe has more Pinoy COVID cases than the Asia-Pacific region and the Americas with 1,158 compared to 1,126 and 795, respectively.
COP IGNORES PROTOCOL
A policeman from Iloilo province is under investigation for recently breaking protocols on COVID-19, endangering the safety of other people.
“How could we command obedience from the public if our own personnel violate health protocols?” Western Visayas regional police director Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan said as he ordered the probe against the policeman.
The policeman, whose name was withheld, was among 70 cops from the Western Visayas regional police office who was swab tested last August 15 at the unit headquarters in Iloilo City.
“As part of the protocol, all PNP personnel who were subjected to swab tests must strictly observe quarantine until their result comes out,” the Western Visayas regional police office said in a statement.
Instead of staying home in Anilao town, the policeman ran some errands and was reported to have gone drinking with friends in Maasin town, Iloilo.
Police said Maasin Mayor Francis Amboy complained to the provincial police about the policeman “having a drinking spree in Daja, Maasin while he was supposedly on home quarantine waiting for the result of the swab test.”
The result of the swab test came out on August 20, showing he is COVID-19 positive. Three other policemen also tested positive for COVID-19 based on the August 15 swab test.
Officials said the policeman’s residence was placed under lockdown while contact tracing was ongoing. The policeman was also brought to a quarantine facility where he is still recovering. — With Ashzel Hachero and victor Reyes
