The Department of Health (DOH) reported 2,498 new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country, bringing the total number of cases to over 61,000.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire announced that the Philippines' COVID-19 tally is now at 61,266 while active cases is at 38,183. This surpassed the projection of experts from University of the Philippines that the cases could hit 60,000 by the end of this month.
The newly reported cases were also the second-highest recorded in a single-day. Vergeire said that most of the new cases were from the National Capital Region with 1,886.
The DOH said that 82 duplicate cases were removed from the total count. “The total cases reported may be subject to change as these numbers undergo constant cleaning and validation,” it said.
Vergeire likewise announced 467 new survivors, raising the total number of recoveries to 21,440. The death toll increased by 29 to 1,643.
The DOH also reported that there are now 35 healthcare workers who succumbed due to COVID-19. The total number of infected healthcare workers is now at 3,738, of which 2,771 have recovered as of July 15.
Vergeire called on health facilities to conduct regular cleaning and disinfection.
“Kinakailangan po ang regular na disinfection and cleaning ng lahat ng health facilities and treatment and monitoring facilities upang ma-minimize ang risk infection para sa mga healthcare workers at mga pasyente. ,” she said.