The number of coronavirus cases in the Philippines continued to increase on Monday, August 24, as the Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of over 194,000 individuals confirmed to have had COVID-19. 

Reports from 95 out of 109 testing laboratories listed 4,686 newly reported cases, pushing the total number of confirmed cases to 194,252. 

The DOH said 86% or 4,054 of the newly reported cases occurred within the last 14 days. Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon accounted for the top 3 regions with the most number of recent cases. 

The death toll also breached the 3,000-mark on Monday, after the DOH reported 13 more deaths, bringing the toll to 3,010. 

Cases still increasing

The rise in cases on Monday brings the number of new infections back to the higher range of single-day tallies. It also comes on the heels of the lowest one-day tally for new cases since July 29, when 2,378 cases were newly reported on Sunday, August 23. 

The total number of confirmed cases grows closer to the estimated 230,000 cases the country could reach by August 31, as projected by researchers studying the coronavirus pandemic in the Philippines. The estimate was based on the assumption that the government would lift the modified enhanced community quarantine in Mega Manila. 

If the government kept Mega Manila on MECQ until August 31, the researchers said cases may reach 210,000 by August 31 based on current trends and government response. 

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier decided to place Metro Manila and nearby provinces back to a “stricter” general community quarantine (GCQ) from August 19 to 31. 

Meanwhile, another 729 recoveries were also listed, raising total recoveries to 132,042. 

The DOH noted 35 duplicates that were removed from the total case count. Among these were 17 recoveries and 1 death. 

The health department said there were also 37 cases earlier reported as recoveries, but after “final validation,” 5 of these turned out to be deaths while 32 others were still active cases. – Rappler.com