Metro Manila’s single-day increase in coronavirus cases for Saturday, July 18, was at 1,824 according to latest data released by the Department of Health (DOH).

Metro Manila’s hefty caseload comprised the bulk of the country’s 2,357 total one-day count for Saturday.

Metro Manila is under the eased General Community Quarantine (GCQ) at least until the end of July despite recommendations from University of the Philippines (UP) scientists to tighten the capital region’s lockdown measures back to Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).

Of the new cases Saturday, 105 were from Laguna, 62 from Cavite, 49 from Cebu and 39 from Rizal.

The Philippine total COVID-19 infections climbed to 65,304. Of that, 41, 464 were labeled active cases.

The DOH said 90% of the active cases are mild, 9.1% are asymptomatic, 0.4% are severe cases and 0.4% are critical cases.

There were 113 newly reported deaths Saturday, raising COVID-19’s total toll to 1,773.

These 113 deaths go all the way back to May, but which have just been reported now.

Of those 113 deaths, most or 87 were from Central Visayas. Only 23 or 20% were from Metro Manila. One death each were from Regions 5, 6 and 7A.

There were 321 newly reported recoveries on Saturday, bringing the total to 22,067. 

The OCTA Research Group projected coronavirus cases to hit 85,000 by end of July, and that deaths would reach 2,000 during that period. 

OCTA earlier projected that by end-July, cases would total 60,000. That grim forecast was realized much earlier, when DOH announced there were  61,266 infections on July 16. – Rappler.com