AFTER several days of over 2,000 new cases, the Department of Health yesterday reported 1,657 new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, raising the country’s total to 82,040, along with 16 more deaths.
Of the new cases reported, majority came from the National Capital Region with 1,017, followed by Laguna (89), Cavite (38), Cebu (31), and Rizal (31).
The number of fatalities rose to 1,945. The new deaths were from Central Visayas (8 or 50%), NCR (7 or 44%), and Soccsksargen (1 or 6%).
Of the 16 deaths, 14 (88%) happened in July, 1 (6%) in June, and 1 (6%) in May.
Active cases as of yesterday stood at 53,649.
On the positive side, 359 new recoveries were recorded, meaning the number of COVID-19 survivors in the Philippines has reached a total of 26,446.
Globally, as of July 26, there were 15,785,641 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 640,016 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, reported 29 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, adding the number of overseas Filipinos infected with the virus has now reached 9,304 in 70 countries.
The death toll stood at 653 while 5,420 have recovered. The Middle East/African regions remained as the region with the highest COVID cases and fatalities among overseas Filipinos at 6,635 and 381, respectively.
Europe has 1,091 cases and 95 deaths while the Americas reported 705 cases and 171 deaths. The Asia and the Pacific region recorded 873 cases and 6 deaths respectively.
PNP chief Archie Gamboa said 91 more cops have been afflicted with COVID-19, with the total number of infections in the police force reaching 2,023, or roughly 0.88 percent of their total strength.
In all, 10 cops have died from the disease while 706 have successfully battled the deadly virus.
Meanwhile, the Quezon City government is investigating several companies for their alleged failure to inform the city’s health office about their personnel who have tested positive for COVID-19.
In a statement, it said it is also looking into reports that some of these companies have not complied with the required standard health protocols, such as use of thermal scanners, observing physical distancing and mass gathering.
Dr. Rolando Cruz, head of the QC Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, said the irregularities in these companies were reported by concerned citizens through the unit’s contact tracing hotline and e-mail.
QC Mayor Joy Belmonte said the firms face penalties, including fine, if they are found to have withheld COVID-19 information or refused to comply with health protocols. — With Ashzel Hachero and Victor Reyes
