The Philippines now has 291,789 confirmed cases of coronavirus infections as the Department of Health (DOH) reported 1,635 new cases on Tuesday, September 22. This is first time in over two weeks that the new cases reported were less than 3,000.

Of the confirmed cases, 56,097 are active.

The country’s COVID-19 death toll rose to 5,049 after 50 new deaths were recorded. The DOH also reported 450 new recoveries, bringing the total number of those who beat the disease to 230,643.

The DOH said that 9 testing laboratories were unable to submit their data. The country has 129 licensed coronavirus testing hubs.

The DOH also said that 34 duplicates were removed from the total case count. Of these, 21 were recovered cases.

At least two cases previously reported as confirmed cases turned out to be recoveries, while 17 recoveries were validated as 16 active cases and one death.

The DOH noted that COVID-19 figures undergo “constant cleaning and validation.”

On Monday, the DOH said it was eyeing to complete a pilot test on the use of antigen tests in Baguio City to assess whether or not the new diagnostic tool can be adopted for official use. (READ: DOH to pilot test antigen testing in Baguio City)

Antigen tests are another type of test used to determine current or active infections among patients. Like reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests, antigen tests use swab samples collected to test for COVID-19. (READ: FAST FACTS: What’s the difference between PCR, rapid antibody tests?)

The Philippines has the most number of COVID-19 infections in Southeast Asia despite having the longest lockdowns in the world. – Rappler.com

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story reported that the Philippines currently has 50,097 active cases. This has been corrected to 56,097.