CORONAVIRUS deaths in Central Luzon are nearing the 1,000 mark, with 996 reported deaths as of January 18, according to a bulletin of the Department of Health (DOH).

The DOH report stated that the current death toll represents 3.8 percent of all confirmed cases in the region. Current confirmed cases in the region are currently at 26,561 with 88.7 percent or 23,560 having since recovered.

Current active cases are currently at 2,005 or 7.5 percent. Of the active cases, 676 are symptomatic while 1,271 manifest mild symptoms. Some 47 active cases are currently severe while 11 are in critical condition.

Bulacan province tops the provinces with the most number of cases with 10,720 confirmed cases. Pampanga currently has 7,111 cases while Bataan ranks third with 3, 608 cases.

Cities in the region have the recorded the most number of confirmed cases. Olongapo City alone recorded 1,001 cases as of press time with Angeles City at 1,631 cases.