THE Department of Health (DOH) on Friday, December 4, 2020, reported 934 new coronavirus cases, the lowest in nearly five months and the second daily tally to fall below 1,000 since July 15.
The new cases were higher than the 634 cases on July 14 but lower than the 987 cases confirmed on November 4, based on the DOH case bulletins.
Read: Virus cases fall below 1,000 in a day, lowest in nearly 4 months
From July 15 to November 3 and from November 5 to December 3, new coronavirus infections in a day went past the 1,000 mark, peaking at 6,958 on August 10.
The new cases confirmed on Friday brought the total coronavirus case count in the country to 436,345, of which 28,379 were active cases.
The DOH case bulletin on Friday also showed 63 additional mortalities, which raised the death toll from coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) to 8,509. The case fatality rate increased to 1.95 percent.
There were 148 new recoveries, bringing the total to 399,457 or 91.5 percent of the total case count.
Among the new cases on Friday were 75 from Quezon City, 59 from Laguna, 34 from Baguio City, 34 from Bulacan and 34 from Davao City.
A total of 25,708 tests were conducted as of 12 noon of December 3, of which 1,197 or 4.7 percent yielded positive results.
With cases declining and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases allowing face-to-face workshops, meetings, conventions and similar events at 30 percent of venue capacity, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III again issued a reminder to stay at home.
“The virus is very much around and is still among us, and no one can be sure who the virus carrier is. Don’t bring home the virus,” Duque said in a statement.
He reiterated the use of digital platforms such as video calls to keep in touch with relatives during Christmas.
“Please stay at home for a merrier and healthier Christmas. After all, a Covid-free holiday is one of the best gifts we can give to our loved ones,” he said.
He stressed that going out, visiting relatives and friends, and attending family reunions are possible sources of infection as one cannot ascertain the exposure of and health status of other people.
Coronavirus infections in the country peaked in August, when DOH reported a total of 127,465 cases or an average of 4,111 a day.
These have declined to 90,875 in September (3,029 average in a day), 69,035 in October (2,227 average in a day) and further to 50,901 in November (average of 1,696 a day). (Marites Villamor-Ilano with HDT / SunStar Philippines)