COVID-19 leaves 259 more dead, a new high

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HOPES that the country is flattening the curve in its spirited battle against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) just got crushed yesterday when the Department of Health (DOH) reported 259 more deaths, a new record high, and 4,699 new cases.

In its latest bulletin, the DOH said the total number of infections rose to 265,888 while the new deaths surpassed the previous high of 186 last Saturday. The number of fatalities has risen to 4,630.

Majority of the new deaths were recorded in NCR with 154 while Central Visayas reported 55 and Calabarzon 28.

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Of the new cases reported, majority came from NCR with 1,498 while Cavite reported 221, Bataan 198, Bulacan 185, and Batangas 176.

A day after the recovery of more than 20,000 patients, there were just 249 new recoveries, meaning the number of COVID-19 survivors has reached 207,504.

Globally, as of September 13, there were 28,637,952 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 917,417 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said 133 more overseas Filipinos were added to the list of those infected with the deadly virus, bringing the total to 10,314 in 76 countries.

This came a day after the DFA reported no new infection among overseas Filipinos.

The increase was attributed to “delays in reporting owing to privacy laws in one territory located in Asia and the Pacific.”

Four new deaths were also reported, for a total of 772, while 6,554 have recovered.

The new fatalities were recorded in the Middle East which now has 491 deaths and 7 017 cases, the highest in both areas among the regions.

Asia and the Pacific continued to see an increase in cases which now stand at 1,320 (from 1, 205 as of September 13) compared to 1,172 and 805 in Europe and the Americas.

The Americas registered 178 deaths, 95 in Europe and 8 in the Asia Pacific region.

At the House, Secretary General Joel Montales announced that a member of the security staff has tested positive for COVID-19, becoming its 74th case.

The security officer last reported for work on September 2 and was tested after developing fever.

So far, two lawmakers have already died of COVID-19: Reps. Fracisco Datol Jr. of Senior Citizens party-list and Maria Bernardita “Ditas” Ramos of Sorsogon.

Out of the 74 cases recorded at the Lower House, 14 are active.

Meanwhile, 232 cadets and 11 policemen from the PNP Academy in Silang town in Cavite have contracted COVID-19.

PNPA spokesman Lt. Col. Byron Allatog said the infected cadets and policemen are confined in five isolation facilities manned by personnel from the PNP Health Service.

As part of the measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 at the academy, Allatog said 6,500 face shields, 16,000 face masks, 1,100 carry-on canisters and alcohols have been to all cadets and policemen.

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“We assure the families and loved ones of the cadets that they are in good hands and their wellness will always be our paramount consideration,” said PNPA Director Maj. Gen. Gilberto Cruz.

The academy has received 10,000 face masks, 1,000 face shields, 15 thermal scanners, two 5-lbs oxygen tanks, medicines from various donors.

As of Sunday, the number of policemen infected with COVID-19 stood at 5,060 with 16 deaths.

PNP chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan said 3,623 have recovered while there are currently 1,421 active cases — 1,387 under quarantine while 34 are receiving treatment at medical facilities.

Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno has directed the city health department to prioritize the vendors in the city’s 17 public markets for COVID-19 testing.

Moreno issued the order after meeting with health officials led by Manila Health Department Director Dr. Arnold Pangan, Sta. Ana Hospital Director Dr. Grace Padilla, and Market Administrator.

Moreno said mass testing for market vendors will be made possible with the opening next week of the second RT-PCR molecular laboratory at the Sta. Ana Hospital.

He said the tests will be shouldered by the city government.

After the vendors, next to be tested are pedicab and tricycle drivers and drivers of public utility jeepneys plying routes in the city.

As of September 11, the city health department has recorded 9,480 cases in the city, of which 864 are active cases. It has recorded 354 deaths so far. — With Ashzel Hachero, Wendell Vigilia, and Victor Reyes

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