Duterte may extend GCQ to Metro Manila until July 15

President Rodrigo Duterte may extend the general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila and other high risk areas until July 15.

"The increasing number of new cases and widespread community transmission in majority of cities in the Metro Manila, as well as consistent case doubling time of less than seven days and significant increase in critical care utilization against critical care capacity will be the reasons," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

The Philippines’ coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases reached 32,295 on Wednesday, with the Department of Health (DOH) reporting 470 new infections.

Of the new cases logged, 357 were listed as “fresh” cases, while the remaining 113 were results returned “late” or results released four or more days ago due to DOH’s backlog.

Nearly half or 225 of the latest cases came from Metro Manila, the country’s contagion epicenter; 145 were recorded in Region VII or Central Visayas while the remaining 100 came from other regions nationwide.

Total recoveries, however, increased to 8,656 since 214 additional patients managed to survive the respiratory illness. This is the 14th straight day that number of daily recoveries hit over 200.

On the other hand, the total death count increased to 1,204 with 18 new fatalities.

The new cases reported were way lower from June 23’s record-high 1,150 new infections.

Globally, COVID-19 has killed over 477,000 of more than 9.2 million people who have contracted the disease, which is caused by the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2.

Source: Peso Economics