Total COVID-19 cases reach over 1.7 million; Laguna under ECQ until August 20

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) today reported 14,249 new COVID-19 positive cases, the second highest since April 2 which logged 15,310 cases.

The same release revealed tests were made on 52,679 persons last August 12 where 24.9% turned out to be positive.

Speaking of recoveries, the DOH said 11,714 recovered while 233 succumbed to the virus.

There are 98,847 active cases today while 92.5% or 1,598, 314 persons recovered. The fatalities today breached 30,000 mark with 30,070 deaths.

The same report said 96.9% of the reported cases today are asymptomatic.

Over in Malacañang, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque today said the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) extended the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) status of Laguna province until August 20,2021 as recommended by the Department of Interior and Local Government and after consultations with the provincial government.

The province was initially placed under ECQ until August 15, and de-escalated to Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) beginning Monday, August 16 until Tuesday, August 31,2021 until the announcement made today.

According to the IATF, the reclassification was made to maximize the effects and slow down the surge of COVID-19 cases, and stop the spread of variants, improve the health system capacity to protect more lives in the area. The province has a population of 3,382,193 as of the 2020 National Census of Population and Housing by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Executive Order 112 gives the necessary authority to the IATF to impose, lift, or extend community quarantine status in provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities. (Melo M. Acuña)

Employees of the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office prepare vaccines for inoculation at the Quirino Grandstand where four hundred doses are given to at least four passengers of private vehicles availing of the drive-thru arrangements arranged through online. ( Melo M. Acuna/Photo)