THE Department of Health on Sunday said the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country is nearing the 7,600 mark, while the number of deaths are now over 500.
The DOH reported 285 new COVID-19 cases, or a total of 7,579, and seven new fatalities, raising the total to 501.
The number of recoveries rose to 862, with the 70 more reported on Sunday.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 originated in China and has spread to 213 countries and territories, according to the World Health Organization. At least 2.7 million individuals have been infected globally as of April 25, including at least 187,800 deaths.
In the Western Pacific Region, the Philippines, as of Sunday ranks fifth among countries with COVID-19 after China, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.
Among Filipinos living or working overseas, there were 1,343 affected in 44 countries, with an additional fatality (total 185).
Of the 1,343 infected, 331 have recovered, the DFA said.
“A new report from Europe raises the number of countries with Filipino COVID-19 patients to 44. Six new confirmed cases, three new recoveries and one new death among overseas Filipinos were also recorded by the DFA in the Americas and Europe today,” the DFA said
The Americas is still the most deadly place for Filipinos infected with COVID-19 with 106 deaths followed by Europe with 63 while the Middle East and Africa have 14 and Asia and the Pacific region with 2.
On the other hand, Europe has the most cases among Filipinos abroad with 418 with 308 still recuperating while 47 have recovered. The Americas came in next with 328 cases of which 147 are still confined and 75 have recovered.
Asia and the Pacific has 327 cases with 127 still recuperating.
There were 270 cases among Filipinos in the Middle East and African regions with 245 still confined in various hospitals while 11 have recovered.
JAILS
Twenty-seven more inmates at the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to 48.
The 27 have been transported to “Site Harry,” the quarantine area inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, where the first batch of 21 COVID-positive inmates.
The Bureau of Corrections said the inmates at Site Harry are “doing well and are asymptomatic.”
On April 23, BuCor confirmed that an inmate from the NBP’s medium security compound died of COVID-19 at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine where he was brought.
BuCor said other prison colonies it operates reported no COVID-19 infection so far.
Aside from the NBP and CIW, the BuCor also operates the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Davao del Norte, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan, Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City and the Leyte Regional Prison in Southern Leyte.
Three residents of Las Piñas City tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the city’s total number to 130 as of Sunday. The death toll has not increased since April 21 and remained at nine. The city has 14 recoveries. — with Ashzel Hachero and Noel Talacay
