Increase in PH Covid cases not ‘second wave’ — DoH

THE rise in the country’s Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases should not be considered a “second wave” but can be attributed to the increase in testing capacity and the continued community transmission of the virus, according to the Department of Health (DoH).

This comes as 1,549 new Covid-19 cases were reported in the country, based on 69 out of 74 Covid-19 testing laboratories.

Of the total, 993 were fresh cases, 428 of which were registered in the National Capital Region (NCR), 109 in Region 7 or Central Visayas, 456 in other regions. Those that were validated late numbered 547.

Total cases in the country are now at 47,873, while the total number of active cases are at 34,178.

About 201 recoveries were recorded, bringing the total to 12,386 while six deaths increased the toll to 1,309.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire added that the lack of enforcement of minimum health standards was also a factor in the increase of cases in Metro Manila alone.

But the concurrent spokesman added that the increase has been gradual and the country’s health care system was able to cope with the increased number of cases.

“Our case doubling time is at 7.9 days, this means… we have enough resources to address the current needs.” Vergeire told a televised press briefing.

The country is third among Southeast Asian countries hit by the virus, behind Indonesia and above Singapore.