COVID-19 cases in the Philippines now over 35,000

MANILA - The Philippines reported 653 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Sunday bringing the country’s total to 35,455.

Of the confirmed cases, 485 were deemed 'fresh' where test results were released on the patient within the last 3 days, while 168 were classified as 'late' where test results were released 4 or more days ago. 

The Department of Health also reported 258 new recoveries, pushing the total number of Filipinos who recovered from the disease to 9,686.

Eight more deaths were reported from the illness, bringing COVID-19’s death toll in the Philippines to 1,244. 

Data from the World Health Organization shows that in the Western Pacific region, the Philippines added the most number of new COVID-19 cases in the last 2 weeks. 

Senators have expressed concern over the rising number of new infections since the government eased the lockdowns this month. 

The DOH however defended its response to the outbreak. 

Since it was first reported in China in late 2019, the disease has already infected more than 10 million worldwide and killed nearly half a million, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.