The Philippines’ Health department recorded 3,749 on Thursday, March 11, new coronavirus infections, the highest daily increase in cases in nearly six months, and 63 additional deaths.
In a bulletin, the department said total confirmed cases had increased to 607,048 while confirmed deaths reached 12,608.
Authorities have warned the public not to be complacent and practice physical distancing to avoid the spread of the virus accelerating further.
A report from media network ABS-CBN, the additional cases is the highest since Sept. 19, 2020, when newly reported infections reached 3,962.
The number of additional daily cases in recent weeks has been higher than those reported in January and February.
The increase has been attributed mainly to the spread of COVID-19 in the national capital region.
Of those currently battling the disease, 91.6 percent have mild symptoms, 4.4% are asymptomatic, 1.6% are in critical condition, 1.6% have severe symptoms, and 0.77% have moderate symptoms.
The World Health Organization this week said this is not considered a second wave but a spike in the ongoing wave that started last year.
Independent think-tank OCTA Group said daily tally of cases can reach 6,000 by the end of March if the trend continues.
The group suggested that the spike in cases may be due to the more transmissible variants detected in Metro Manila and other areas.
The Philippines is currently rolling out its COVID-19 vaccines to health workers. – with reports from Reuters and ABS-CBN
