THE total number of coronavirus infections increased to 261,216 Sunday, September 13, 2020, a day before the reduced physical distancing requirements in public transport vehicles are set to take effect.
In its case bulletin at 4 p.m. Sunday, the Department of Health (DOH) reported an additional 3,372 cases of infection.
Of the 261,216 total number of infections, 49,277 were still active cases as of September 13.
The proportion of patients in critical condition in active coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases went up to 2.2 percent (or 22 out of every 1,000) while severe cases accounted for 1.4 percent, asymptomatic cases made up 8.8 percent and mild cases decreased to 87.6 percent.
DOH also announced 20,472 recoveries, including those that were declared as recoveries under the time-based tagging methodology, bringing the total to 207,568.
Under this methodology, asymptomatic coronavirus-positive individuals and Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms are declared as recoveries after 14 days.
The agency said eight cases that were previously reported as recoveries turned out to be seven deaths and one active case, referring to Covid-19 patients who are still in the hospitals or in quarantine.
DOH further announced 79 additional deaths, raising the death toll to 4,371.
Of the 79 additional deaths, 57 occurred in September, 14 in August, six in July, one in June and one in March.
Of the 3,372 new cases Sunday, 2,850 occurred in the last two weeks from August 31 to September 13.
The National Capital Region (NCR) continued to account for the highest number at 1,307 on Sunday, followed by Cavite with 240, Laguna with 207, Negros Occidental with 199 and Bulacan with 145.
Transport authorities are set to implement Monday, September 14, the reduction in physical distancing requirement in public utility vehicles to 0.75 or 3/4 meter between passengers from the current one meter as specified by the World Health Organization.
The Department of Transportation, in proposing the reduction, said the distance between passengers may be reduced because health safety protocols such as wearing of face masks and face shields are being strictly implemented.
Passengers are also prohibited from talking or making a phone call onboard public transport.
The distance between passengers will be further reduced to 0.5 or 1/2 meter after two weeks and further to 0.3 or 1/3 meter after another two weeks. (Marites Villamor-Ilano/SunStar Philippines)