FOR the third straight day, over 20,000 new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases were reported by the Department of Health with no signs of slowing down, along with 163 more deaths that raised the toll to 35,307.
In its latest bulletin, the DOH said the 20,745 infections did not include data from five laboratories that failed to submit data to the COVID-19 Document Repository System (CDRS) last September 11.
Last Saturday, the DOH reported a new single-day high of 26,303 new cases, followed by 21,411 last Sunday.
Overall, the total number of infections in the country rose to 2,248,071 while the case fatality rate stood at 1.57.
Active cases dipped slightly to 180,293 from 181,951 last Sunday, with 86 percent mild cases, 9.4 percent asymptomatic cases, 2.6 percent moderate cases, 1.4 percent severe cases, and 0.6 percent critical cases.
The DOH also reported 22,290 more recoveries, raising the number of survivors to 2,032,471. This means that 90.4 percent of COVID patients have recovered.
Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Manila is set to honor overseas Filipinos who have contracted the deadly virus as the Catholic Church celebrates the 35th National Migrants’ Sunday on September 26.
“We remember those who have died while abroad and their families, who were not able pay their last respects, those who were infected with the COVID-19 virus, and those who are in anguish and difficult circumstances,” Manila Archdiocese Chancellor Fr. Reginald Malicdem said.
“We pray for all OFWs, especially during this pandemic, knowing that many of them are front liners,” he added.
As of September 6, there have been 23,036 confirmed COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad, including 1,376 deaths.
Malicdem said a Holy Mass would be held at the San Jose Manggagawa Parish in Manuguit, Tondo at 10 a.m. on September 26, with Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula presiding.
The NMS is a special Sunday annually celebrated by the Philippine Church dedicated to the sacrifices and heroism of OFWs and their families.
