COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic: Latest situation in the Philippines – November 2020

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COVID-19 pandemic: Latest situation in the Philippines – November 2020

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

How many people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Philippines? How many have recovered, and how many have died? What is President Rodrigo Duterte doing about it? What should the public expect in terms of the economy and vaccine development?

Bookmark and refresh this page for the latest news updates, opinion articles, and analysis pieces about the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.

LATEST UPDATES

PH coronavirus cases now at 431,630

Bonz Magsambol

The Philippines now has 431,630 confirmed COVID-19 cases after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 1,773 additional cases on Monday, November 30.

The DOH reported 19 new deaths due to the coronavirus disease, bringing the death toll to 8,392, while recoveries are up by 44, raising total recoveries to 398,658.

Of the total cases, 24,580 are active.

DOH bulletin: COVID-19 cases as of November 30, 2020

PH COVID-19 cases may reach up to 500,000 by December 31 – experts

Sofia Tomacruz

In its latest report on Monday, November 30, the Octa research group said COVID-19 cases across the country may reach some 470,000 to 500,000 cases by the end of the year.

The following regions bear close watching after reporting either a high number of cases or an increase in cases over the last two weeks since November 15:

Metro Manila

November 15 to 21: 343 new cases
November 22 to 28: 404 new cases (18% increase)

Calabarzon

November 15 to 21: 313 new cases
November 22 to 28: 317 new cases (1% increase)

Central Luzon

November 15 to 21: 156 new cases
November 22 to 28: 156 new cases

Davao

November 15 to 21: 121 new cases
November 22 to 28: 138 new cases (13% increase)

Western Visayas

November 15 to 21: 101 new cases
November 22 to 28: 107 new cases (5% increase)

Experts urge gov’t: Keep Metro Manila under GCQ during holiday season

Sofia Tomacruz

Following a slight uptick in COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks, the Octa research group of experts urged the government to keep Metro Manila under a general community quarantine for the coming month.

The holiday rush expected in December may lead to a spike in cases if people decide to go out, which may reverse gains made in stemming the spread of cases, the group said.

Zooming into different cities across the metro, Octa listed the following local government units where there were an increase in cases: Caloocan, San Juan, Muntinlupa, Marikina, Navotas, Mandaluyong, Paranaque, Las Pinas, Quezon City, and Makati.

Aside from continuously beefing up testing, tracing, and treatment efforts, the group recommended the following:

“We also exhort the national and the local governments to strictly monitor and enforce compliance with minimum health standards such as physical distancing, the wearing of face mask and face shields and proper hygiene to reverse the increase in transmissions at the community level.”

Over 2,000 new COVID-19 cases again in PH after nearly 3 weeks

The Philippines now has 429,864 confirmed COVID-19 cases after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 2,076 new cases on Sunday, November 29.

The last time more than 2,000 new cases were reported in a day was on November 9.

The DOH also reported 40 new deaths on Sunday, bringing the death toll to 8,373, while the recoveries are up by 10,579, raising total recoveries to 398,624.

Of the total cases, 22,867 are active.

DOH bulletin: COVID-19 cases as of November 29, 2020

Pacquiao defends Batangas aid distribution, says COVID-19 protocols observed

Senator Manny Pacquiao said he welcomes any investigation into claims that his camp violated quarantine protocols when they recently distributed relief goods in Batangas.

“It should be clarified however that in all those events, we have tried so hard to ensure that social distancing and health safety protocols are strictly observed,” his office said in a statement Sunday, November 29.

Pacquiao’s camp said photos and videos showing alleged quarantine violations did not “reflect the real situation on the ground.”

Mandaue City records zero new coronavirus cases

John Sitchon

Mandaue City yet again recorded zero new cases out of 22 swab samples tested on Saturday, November 28. This is the 4th time the city had recorded zero new COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began

According to Mandaue health officials, the city has recorded on average 5 cases per day in November.

Across the bridge, Lapu-Lapu City has recorded only one new case on the same day.

As of this writing, Mandaue City has 96 total active cases, 170 deaths, and 2,254 recoveries.

After spike in COVID-19 cases, Cebu City’s numbers drop to single digits again

Ryan Macasero

After seeing cases double from October to November, Cebu City’s new infections dropped to single digits again with only 6 cases. 

This is out of 971 total tests run, for a positivity rate of .6%. The World Health Organization considers a positivity rate of 5% or below a sign that the pandemic is under control. 

The city had implemented stricter quarantine regulations and warned residents of possible lockdowns if the numbers continued to rise despite measures to control the spread of the virus. The city had earlier flattened the curve between the months of August and September. 

DOH bulletin: COVID-19 cases as of November 28, 2020