The total coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines moved close to 270,000 on Tuesday after more than 3,500 people were detected to have caught the illness.
In its latest case bulletin, the Department of Health (DOH) reported that the number of cases soared to 269,407 with 3,544 new infections.
Metro Manila still topped the areas with the highest number of daily confirmed cases reported on Tuesday with 690. Cavite placed second with 305 cases, Rizal with 201, Negros Occidental with 173, Bulacan with 98.
There are 57,392 active cases, who are undergoing treatment or quarantine, wherein 87.9 percent of whom are mild, eight percent are asymptomatic, 1.2 percent are severe, and 2.9 percent are in critical condition, the DOH said.
The tally of recoveries surged to 207,352 after 395 more patients have overcome the disease.
“There were 538 cases that were previously reported as recovered but after final validation, they were deaths (two) and active cases (536),” the DOH noted.
The death toll, meanwhile, currently stood at 4,663 after 34 more patients succumbed to the respiratory disease.
“Of the 34 (new) deaths, 29 occurred in September, three in August, one in May, and one in April,” the DOH noted.
As of September 13, the DOH said that it recorded 8,573 healthcare workers who tested positive for COVID-19.
“Of these, 7,980 have recovered, 56 have died and 537 were active cases. Of these active cases, 292 were mild cases, 219 were asymptomatic, 21 in severe condition and five in critical condition,” it said.
“As the country ushers into the new normal era, minimum health standards are essential to keep everyone healthy and safe. The government is continuously reminding the people to follow simple things that would reduce exposure to COVID-19 like wearing of face masks at all times, maintain physical distancing, and practice hand hygiene and proper cough manners,” the DOH said.
“Do this not just for yourselves, but also for the safety of your family and the community,” it added.