COVID-19

PH coronavirus cases now at 178,022

Bonz Magsambol

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Of the total, 61,025 are active cases

The Philippines now has 178,022 cases of COVID-19 as the Department of Health (DOH) reported 4,339 new cases on Thursday, August 20.

Of the total cases, 61,025 are active cases.

The country’s COVID-19 death toll rose to 2,883 after 88 deaths were added to the tally. The DOH also reported 727 new recoveries, bringing the total number of those who beat the disease to 114,114.

The latest DOH data showed that 60% or 2,590 of the 4,339 new cases are from Metro Manila. The rise in cases continues to strain hospitals in the capital region, where critical care capacity was at 66% – or at the “danger zone” – as of August 19. (READ: Hospital occupancy in at least 7 Metro Manila LGUs at ‘critical level‘)

The Philippines still has the most number of coronavirus infections in Southeast Asia, followed by Indonesia.

Despite the continued spike in coronavirus cases in the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte reverted Mega Manila to general community quarantine (GCQ) from August 19 to August 31. 

Duterte made the decision as experts studying the pandemic in the Philippines warned cases nationwide may reach 230,000 by August 31, if Mega Manila is placed under GCQ

The DOH reiterated that the use of rapid antibody tests is not recommended to screen individuals returning to workplaces or hometowns. (READ: FAST FACTS: What’s the difference between PCR, rapid antibody tests?)

On Wednesday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the DOH had cleared its backlog of positive tests that were awaiting validation. (READ: DOH clears validation backlogs in coronavirus data) – Rappler.com

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Bonz Magsambol

Bonz Magsambol covers the Philippine Senate for Rappler.