MANILA — The Philippines reported Monday its highest number of new recoveries from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a single day at 298, as the country's cumulative total of confirmed infections reached 26,420 ahead of expected adjustments of quarantine measures in the country.

The total recoveries stood at 6,252, while the death toll rose by 10 to 1,098.

It is the 5th straight day that new recoveries numbered more than 240.

Of the 490 additional cases reported, 348 were "fresh" while 142 were "late." Fresh cases refer to those whose test results were released within the last 3 days, while late cases are those whose results were released four days ago or more.

The fresh cases include 131 from Metro Manila, 79 from Region 7 (Central Visayas), and 138 from different other regions, including some unidentified locations.

The late cases had 21 from Metro Manila, 5 from Region 7, and 116 from other areas.

The Department of Health (DOH) case bulletin notes that of the additional 10 reported deaths, 4 occurred in June (3 on June 1, and 1 on June 11). There was no mention on the time for the other cases.

The DOH, over the weekend, explained that the recent increase on new deaths was due to late reporting. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire has apologized if the public was alarmed over the increase.

Of the 22 deaths reported on June 13, majority died in the previous months of April and May.

“Deaths have increased over the past two days although the median is still 10 per day. However, the recent increase has been due to late reports coming in to the DOH,” said Dr. John Wong, who is part of the Inter-Agency Task Force’s data analytics advisory group.

Worldwide, a total of 7.9 million people have been infected with COVID-19, according to the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus dashboard. Of those, 3.7 million have already recovered and 433,000 have died.