The Philippines hit a new record-high increase in coronavirus cases reported in a single day, as the Department of Health confirmed 4,063 more cases on Friday, July 31.

This brings the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 93,354. Just the day before, the country recorded 3,954 new cases.

The Department of Health (DOH) said 94% or 3,813 of the new cases “occurred in July,” with more than half or 2,153 coming from Metro Manila, and the other half coming from Central Visayas and Calabarzon, combined.

It also marked time that a single day increase in cases in Metro Manila exceeded 2,000.

There were 40 new deaths on Friday, raising the total death toll to 2,023.

The DOH reported 165 new recoveries on Friday, bringing the total recoveries to 65,178.

The country has 26,153 active cases, 87.8% of which are mild, according to the DOH.

The spike in cases was announced on the same day that President Rodrigo Duterte decided to extend general community quarantine (GCQ) measures in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and other parts of the country, until August 15.

Cebu City would also ease into GCQ – from modified enhanced community quarantine – from August 1 to 15.

Malacañang said localized lockdowns shall be implemented in these areas to arrest the spread of coronavirus there. Wearing of face shield over a face mask is now also a minimum health standard.

Malacañang also announced on Friday that Duterte ordered government hospitals to increase their bed allotments for coronavirus patients – from 30% to 50%. The government also urged private hospitals to increase their COVID beds from 20% to 30%.

The DOH said that as of Friday, 42% of ward beds were still available, as well as 47% of isolation beds and 46% of intensive care unit (ICU) beds. – Rappler.com