DEATHS from the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) plummeted to just six but active cases rose to 78,480 while there were 8,900 new infections, according to the Department of Health.
In its latest bulletin yesterday, the DOH said all laboratories submitted data to the COVID-19 Document Repository System (CDRS) last August 7.
The number of cases in the country rose to 1,667,714 while the toll from the deadly virus climbed to 29,128, just 872 short of the grim mark of 30,000.
From 77,516 last Sunday, active cases shot up to 78,480, with 94 percent mild cases, 2.1 percent asymptomatic cases, 1.7 percent severe cases, 1.1 percent moderate cases, and 1 percent critical cases.
There were 7,937 more recoveries, raising the number of survivors to 1,560,106.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said 90 more overseas Filipinos contracted the deadly virus last week, bringing to 21,731 the total number of infections, while there were three new fatalities as the toll rose to 1,325.
The DFA also said that more than 7,000 overseas Filipino workers will return to the country this month as part of the government’s repatriation program due to the pandemic.
“We are expecting no less than 7,060 stranded Filipinos to be home on or before the end of August,” DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola said in her Twitter account.
Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, in a statement issued late Sunday night, said she has tested positive for the deadly virus.
She said she will undergo quarantine until she recovers.
“Despite the precaution, I did not expect this sad development. Due to this, I will temporary go on quarantine until I recover,” Lacuna said.
As of Sunday, 69,962 Manila residents have tested positive for the deadly virus, with 1,314 having died and 67,661 having recovered, leading just 987 active cases.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has tested negative for the virus.
A policemen assigned in northern Metro Manila died due to the virus, the latest fatality in the police force, according to PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar.
The death of the 43-year-old senior master sergeant brought to 87 the number of police personnel who have succumbed to the virus.
“The entire PNP deeply sympathizes with the family of the said police officer. We assure the bereaved family of financial assistance and a prompt release of all death benefits due him,” Eleazar said.
The PNP also reported 152 more personnel have contracted the virus, bringing to 31,497 the total number of COVID-19 cases in the police force, with 29,737 having recovered and 1,673 still active cases.
Twenty-eight out of the 82 crew members of a 2Go Roro or roll-on/roll-off vessel currently anchored in Batangas tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
The vessel — St. Anthony de Padua — docked in Bauan Bay in Batangas yesterday from Caticlan, Aklan, said PCG spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo. There were no passengers.
Three of those who tested positive were “severe cases” and were brought to different hospitals in Batangas. The 25 others, who are asymptomatic, remained in the vessel and are being attended to by doctors on board.
The PCG said one of the crewmen underwent RT-PCR test yesterday after experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. After the result showed he was positive, the other crew members of the vessel were also tested, which revealed 27 more were infected. — With Ashzel Hachero and Victor Reyes
