The Philippines’ Health Ministry on Saturday reported 113 more new COVID-19 deaths and 2,357 additional infections.
In a bulletin, the ministry said total deaths have increased to 1,773.
Meanwhile, confirmed cases have reached 65,304, with the capital and Cebu City in central Philippines accounting for the bulk of the infections as the virus spreads.
According to Reuters, Philippine COVID-19 infections have more than tripled to 57,006 since June 1 when restrictions started to ease to allow some public transport, restaurants and malls to reopen, in a bid to restart an economy decimated by some of the world’s strictest and longest curbs on movement and commerce.
Although the Philippines has ramped up testing lately, the 926,252 recorded represents less than 1% of the 107 million population.
“As part of ongoing data harmonisation, we cannot avoid seeing cases not yet included in our official death count,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told a news conference earlier this week.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque previously described the outbreak as an “intensifying challenge” and said hospital occupancy in Manila had jumped to 70% from 48% a week ago due to a spike in cases.
