A DAY after reporting a new record high in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said 2,987 more people have been infected with the deadly virus, raising the total number of cases in the country to 139,538.
Of the new cases, majority came from the National Capital Region (NCR) with 1,510, followed by Cavite (398), Laguna (144), Iloilo (135), and Cebu (119).
Last Monday, the DOH reported a new record high of 6,958 new COVID cases.
There were 19 new deaths reported, raising the number of fatalities to 2,312.
Majority of the new deaths were recorded in Metro Manila with 7. Central Visayas had 6, Calabarzon (3), Ilocos Region (1), Western Visayas (1), and repatriates (1).
The DOH said 280 more patients recovered, raising the number of survivors to 68,432.
Globally, as of August 10, there were 19,718,030 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 728,013 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.
The health department attributed the record setting numbers last Monday to enhanced surveillance and increased testing capacity, “which means we can now detect more cases more quickly.”
It also admitted that the surge in cases is the result of the continuous transmission of the virus in the community level.
“The rise in cases is also a signal that the practice of minimum health standards should be strengthened,” added the DOH.
The Philippine College of Physicians said it won’t be surprised if COVID-19 cases in the country continue to rise in the coming weeks.
“We can even expect to see more cases tomorrow or even later because we are not yet seeing everything,” PCP president Dr. Mario Panaligan said in a television interview.
He said the effects of the imposition of the modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and neighboring areas will not be immediately visible.
“The effect of the MECQ, we can’t see that yet… Secondly, we must remember that we still have some backlogs. Thirdly, these cases may also be from the incubation period and are just making consultations now,” said Panaligan.
For three consecutive days, no overseas Filipino was reported to have succumbed to COVID-19 although the Department of Foreign Affairs said 17 more have been infected with the virus.
The number of overseas Filipinos with the virus rose to 9,774 in 72 countries, with 5, 790 of them managing to recover. The 17 new cases were all recorded in the Asia Pacific region.
The Asia-Pacific region now has 998 cases, third highest after the Middle East and African regions with 6,849 and 1,143 in Europe. The Americas reported 784 cases.
The House of Representatives suspended session until Monday, August 17, in response to clamor from House employees who report to work regularly despite the recent upsurge of COVID cases in Metro Manila.
The session break will give ample time for a thorough disinfection of all offices and facilities in the House of Representatives and give employees a brief respite from the aggravation caused by the spike in COVID cases.
The House leadership decided on the suspension of Wednesday’s session only after the chamber approved on third and final reading the Bayanihan to Recover as One Bill and four other national bills which are part of the government’s COVID response measures.The session break will also enable the various committees of the House of Representative to fast-track the reporting out of all COVID-related measures for plenary consideration when we resume session.
Meanwhile, former Commission on Elections chairman Sixto Brillantes passed away yesterday morning, two weeks after being diagnosed with COVID-19. He was 80.
Brillantes’ former chief of staff, Atty. Emil Marañon, said the renowned election lawyer passed away before noon. He was set to turn 81 this Friday.
“My boss and former Comelec Chair Sixto S. Brillantes Jr. passed away at 11:08 am today.
What a great honor to serve the country by your side. Maraming salamat!” Marañon said in his Twitter account.
The Comelec, in a separate statement, confirmed Brillantes’death.
“This is to confirm the passing of former Chairperson Sixto S. Brillantes Jr., today at a little past 11 a.m.,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said.
A known election lawyer, Brillantes was appointed as Comelec chair by former President Benigno Aquino III. He served as head of the poll body from January 2011 to February 2015.
On his retirement, Brillantes returned to his profession as a poll lawyer, in a low-key role. — With Ashzel Hachero
