Philippines logs over 3,000 new COVID-19 cases as total hits 597,763

MANILA, Philippines — For the fourth consecutive day, more than 3,000 new COVID-19 infections were recorded Monday as the country’s coronavirus caseload rose to over 597,000. 

The Department of Health logged 3,356 new COVID-19 cases, pushing to 597,763 the total number of COVID-19 infections. 

Of the total, 39,330 or 6.6% are active cases. 

The DOH also registered 61 new recovered patients, bringing to 545,912 the total number of recoveries in the country. 

Meanwhile, the death toll increased to 12,521 after five people died from the respiratory disease. 

What’s new today? 

• DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the non-compliance of people with minimum health protocols is the “underlying cause of why cases are increasing.” 
• Vergeire also stressed the rise in COVID-19 cases “cannot be solely attributed” to the presence of more transmissible COVID-19 variants in the Philippines. It, however, “aggravated this increase in cases.” 
• The government is not yet considering imposing stricter community quarantine measures as local governments can impose localized lockdowns.