Philippines logs 163 new COVID-19 cases

The Philippines has surpassed 13,597 confirmed coronavirus cases as of May 22, 2020.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported 163 new cases, 11 deaths, and 92 recoveries on May 22, bringing the total death toll to 857 and total recoveries to 3,092.

Daily additional cases remain between 100 and 300, lower than the peak of 538 on March 31.

Amidst the rising cases, government officials have made conflicting statements regarding whether the country is experiencing a first or second wave of the pandemic.

Secretary Francisco Duque III initially claimed the Philippines was in the second wave of transmission but later clarified it was the 'first major wave of sustained community transmission'.

Malacañang continues to support Duque as health chief despite calls for his replacement.

The country entered an eased lockdown on May 16 despite a testing capacity of 5,000 to 11,000 a day and having tested less than 200,000 people.

The government is implementing an expanded testing program to identify more at-risk individuals, even those without symptoms.