A DAY after reporting less than 2,000 new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, the Department of Health yesterday said there were 3,281 new cases, putting in doubt hopes that the country is flattening the curve as claimed by University of the Philippines experts.
In its latest bulletin, the DOH said of the new cases, majority or 1,420 came from the National Capital Region, with Cavite having 263, Negros Occidental 204, Laguna 197, and Rizal 196.
Last Monday, the DOH reported just 1,383 new cases.
Overall, the total number of COVID cases in the country rose to 241,987 with 26 more deaths, raising the number of fatalities to 3,916.
Majority of the new deaths were recorded in NCR with 9. Other deaths were reported from Central Visayas (4), Calabarzon (3), Zamboanga Peninsula (2), Davao Region (2), MIMAROPA (2), Unknown (1), Bicol Region (1), Western Visayas (1), and Eastern Visayas (1).
There were 286 new recoveries, meaning the number of survivors is up to 185,178.
Globally, as of September 7, there were 27,032,617 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 881,464 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.
The Department of Foreign Affairs reported no new fatality due to COVID-19 among overseas Filipinos yesterday although it listed seven new cases in Asia and the Pacific.
As of Monday, the number of overseas Filipinos who have succumbed to the virus stood at 763.
With the seven new cases, the number of Filipinos in 74 countries infected with the deadly virus increased to 10,136, although the DFA said 6,333 have recovered.
The Middle East and African regions remain with the most number of confirmed COVID cases and deaths among overseas Filipinos with 6,986 and 482 deaths, respectively, followed by the Asia Pacific and Europe with 1,184 and 1,168 cases, respectively.
The Americas registered 798 cases but had a higher fatality rate compared to Asia Pacific and Europe with 178 to the latter’s 8 and 95 respectively.
Meanwhile, Sorsogon Rep. Maria Bernadita “Ditas” Ramos died yesterday of COVID-19, the second member to succumb to the deadly virus.
“It is with sadness that we just found out that our dear colleague, Rep. Maria Bernadita ‘Ditas’ Ramos of the 2nd district of Sorsogon has passed away,” House deputy majority leader Xavier Jesus Romualdo announced on the floor during the plenary session.
Through Pangasinan Rep. Christopher de Venecia, the House offered a prayer for the repose of their colleague’s soul.
Ramos succumbed to cardiac arrest on a plane on the way to Manila from Legazpi City, according to sources.
House Secretary General Atty. Jose Luis Montales said Ramos tested positive for COVID-19 in the province.
Last August 10, Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Francisco “Jun” Datol died of complications brought about by COVID-19.
Ramos was the fifth fatality among the 70 persons at the Batasang Pambansa who tested positive for COVID-19.
Ramos was the ninth lawmaker who have caught COVID-19 after Datol, Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, Deputy Speaker and Agusan del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, Sulu Rep. Samier Tan, Bulacan Rep. Henry Villarica, Cavite Rep. Luis Ferrer IV, Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza, and 1-Pacman party-list Rep. Eric Pineda. — With Ashzel Hachero and Wendell Vigilia
