The cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continue to surge as the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday reported 538 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines, bringing the total to 2,084 confirmed positive cases.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said as of 4 p.m. of March 31, there have been also additional deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 88, increasing by 10 from 78 on March 30.

On the other hand, the total number of recoveries went up by 7 from 42 to 49.

Vergeire had said that the big increase in the number of cases was due to improved testing capacity of laboratories.

Luzon has been on a community quarantine or lockdown since the DOH confirmed community transmission in the country.

Public transportation and other services have shut down temporarily./Stacy Ang