MANILA — Cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Philippines may surpass the 100,000-mark by the end of August, an expert from the University of the Philippines said Tuesday, as he urged the government to tweak pandemic protocols.

The health department on Tuesday confirmed a record-high jump in "fresh cases" or those whose results were released in the last 3 days, which brought the total tally to 46,333.

The cases are increasing by at least 1,000 cases a day and areas without any COVID-19 case before lockdowns were eased recently became virus hotspots, said mathematics professor Dr. Guido David, a member of the UP OCTA Research group.

"Sa nakita ko, iyong trend niya mas mataas pa, hihigit pa sa 100,000 kung hindi natin baguhin iyong ating sistema, ating pag-handle ng pandemya,"

(Based on what I saw, the trend is that it will increase, surpass 100,000 if we don't change our system, our handling of the pandemic.)

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Authorities should tighten border controls, ramp up coronavirus screening, and bring those who test positive for the virus to isolation facilities instead of going on home quarantine, Guido said.

The government should also rethink the transportation of workers, after scores of MRT personnel caught the virus, he said.

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The professor also urged the public to wear masks, and practice physical distancing and hygiene.