Another 1,990 people have contracted COVID-19, pushing the country's total number of confirmed cases above 344,000, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.
The DOH latest report showed that the nationwide tally currently stands at 344,713 wherein 44,958 are active cases or those who are still receiving treatment or under quarantine. Meanwhile, this is the first time that the country recorded below 2,000 daily cases since September 23.
Most of the new cases are still from the National Capital Region with 580. Also included in the top five areas with the most number of new infections are Cavite with 114, Rizal with 105, Laguna with 100, and Misamis Oriental with 94.
The country’s death toll also increased to 6,372 after 40 more died of the illness. The department said that 18 of the newly logged deaths happened this month, 15 in September, four in August, and one each from the months of July, June, and April.
The number of those who recovered rose to 293,383 after 327 more patients were cleared from the disease.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reminded the public again that COVID-19 is not a “death sentence.”
“Ngayon po, mataas na po ang recovery rate natin, ibig sabihin po sa kabuuang bilang ng mga nagkasakit, karamihan sa kanila ay magaling na. Ito po ay importanteng maintindihan ng ating mga kababayan dahil ipinapakita nito na ang COVID-19 ay hindi isang automatic death sentence ,” she said.
“There are a lot of people recovering from the illness given proper treatment, adequate support, and their compliance with minimum health standards,” she added.
Vergeire also told the public that they may seek the assistance of their respective Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERTs) or other healthcare providers amid the pandemic.
“Nandiyan po ang ating mga healthcare providers at experts na maaari nating makausap through telemedicine or our BHERTS upang tulungan tayong makakuha ng tamang mga impormasyon na makakatulong kung sakaling tayo ay mag-positibo o nakararanas ng sintomas ng COVID-19 ,” she said.