Philippines confirms record 2,434 new COVID-19 cases

MANILA - The Philippines reported a record 2,434 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Sunday bringing the country’s total to 44,254.

Of the confirmed cases, 1,147 were deemed 'fresh' where test results were released on the patient within the last 3 days, while 1,287 were classified as 'late' where test results were released 4 or more days ago.

The Department of Health also reported 489 new recoveries, pushing the total number of Filipinos who recovered from the disease to 11,942.

Seven more deaths were reported from the illness, bringing COVID-19’s death toll in the Philippines to 1,297. 

Of the 7 reported deaths, 6 occurred in June.

"As the country continues to ease community quarantine measures, the rise in the number of cases today may be attributed to the increased contact among the population," the DOH said.

The Department also called on the public to continue proper handwashing, physical distancing, wearing of masks, avoidance of non-essential travel outside their homes, and other minimum health standards to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. 

Since the disease was first reported in late 2019 in China, COVID-19 has infected almost 11.3 million people around the world, and killed more than half a million, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

The United States has seen the most number of infections and deaths, followed by Brazil.