MANILA, Dec 15 (NNN-PNA) – Philippines Department of Health (DOH), reported 1,339 new confirmed COVID-19 infection yesterday, bringing the total number in the country to 450,733.
The DOH said, 41 more patients recovered, raising the total number of recoveries to 418,723. The death toll climbed to 8,757 after 24 more patients died.
The DOH said, it tested over 5.87 million people, so far, since the disease emerged in the country in Jan. The Philippines has a population of about 110 million.
Health Secretary, Francisco Duque, said, the government’s efforts to focus on strengthening its capacity to test, detect and isolate those infected have paid off and prevented the spread of the virus.
Duque, however, asked the public to continue their vigilance as the risk of infection is still high.
“We should all be careful because the virus is still there. Prevention is always better than cure,” Duque said, stressing the need to stay safe when in public by wearing face-covering, washing hands frequently and avoiding crowded places.
Duque issued the warning, amid reports of an increasing infection rate in Metro Manila, the region with the most number of cases, as people prepare for the holiday season.– NNN-PNA
