DOH reports 470 new COVID-19 cases, total now 32,295

The Department of Health (DOH) announced an additional 470 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of infections in the Philippines to 32,295.

The death toll rose to 1,204 after 18 more patients died, while recoveries climbed by 14 to 8,656.

Of the new cases, 357 were fresh results released within the last three days, while 113 are considered late cases or backlogs.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire stated that 96% of the cases were mild, suggesting a high recovery rate.

She also noted that infections have been gradually increasing, allowing the country's healthcare system to handle the health crisis.

Cases are likely to surge as the lockdown in many areas of the country is eased.

The country has some COVID-19 hotspots including the cities of Cebu and Ormoc, and the provinces of Leyte and Samar.

Vergeire noted that 6.9% of those tested for the virus were positive, indicating sufficient testing and minimized virus transmission.

The country had a death rate of 3.73% for the coronavirus, higher than its Southeast Asian peers but lower than the global average of 5.2%.