The Department of  Health (DOH) has reported on Monday that the number of cases of positive coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country has surged by 198 new cases, as the total number of cases reached 7,777.

“As of 4PM today, April 27, 2020, the Department of Health reports 198 new cases (PH7580-PH7777) of COVID-19. The total number of cases in the country is now at 7,777,” said DOH Case Bulletin #044.

The DOH also said there are 10 new COVID-19-related fatalities, bringing the total death toll to 511.

The DOH also announced 70 new recoveries, raising the total to 932.

Data from the DOH as of Saturday show that 76,030 people have been tested for COVID-19, 87.6 percent of whom were negative while 12.2 percent were positive.

The Philippines has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities across Southeast Asia, trailing behind Indonesia which reported 8,882 infections with 743 deaths on Sunday.

The country’s first COVID-19 case was reported in late January, around a month since the disease was believed to have first emerged from China./Stacy Ang