The Department of Health (DOH) logged an additional 2,053 new COVID-19 infections, pushing the country's total count of cases to 375,180. 

Of the total count, 38,955 are active cases, of which 83 percent have mild symptoms, 11.1 percent are asymptomatic, 3.8 percent are in critical condition, and 2.2 percent experience severe symptoms.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reminded the public to strictly follow the health protocols while the government is slowly opening up the country’s economy. 

In the latest DOH case update, most of the new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Caloocan City with 108 cases, followed by Quezon City with 103 cases, Negros Occidental with 97, Benguet with 93, and Rizal with 85 new infections.

There are 540 new recoveries reported, bringing the total of recovered patients to 329,111. Meanwhile, 61 patients have succumbed to the disease, bringing the death toll to 7,114.

“Ang lagi din naman natin sinasabi, the virus will stay here for long... Hindi po natin nakikita na mawawala ang virus soon ,” said Vergeire. 

“At the same time we cannot remain in lockdown forever or we cannot remain to be paralyzed with fear, that is why we are gradually lifting the restrictions but with that safeguard that people need to change their behavior and comply with the minimum health standards,” she added.

The DOH spokesperson said that if people “will implement and comply with the minimum health standards, the infection will not be as transmissible as how it is before.”

‘Undas’ reminder

Five days before the observance of All Saints Day and All Souls day, Vergeire also appealed to those who are planning to visit their home provinces to abide by the rules set by the local government units. 

“Pagdating natin sa ating mga destination katulad ng probinsya, tayo ay sumunod sa pamantayan at patakaran ng ating mga local govenrment units para makaiwas tayo sa transmission or infection na dulot ng COVID-19 ,” she said. 

“Gusto ko lang ipaalala sa ating mga kababayan na kung kayo man po ay uuwi sa probinsya, sasakay ng iba’t ibang means ng transporation, alalahanin lang po natin na kailangan pa rin natin sundin ang minimum health standards: mag mask po tayo, face shield, mag physical distance po tayo, at palagiang maghugas ng kamay ,” she added.