The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reported an increase of 262 new positive coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines with a total of 9,485 cases.

“As of 4PM today,  May 4, 2020, the Department of Health reports 262 new cases (PH9224-PH9485) of COVID-19. NCR with additional 122 cases, Region 7 with additional 88 cases and 52 additional cases from different regions. The total number of cases in the country is now at 9,485,” said DOH COVID-19 CASE BULLETIN #051.

The DOH also reported an increase of 16 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 623.

DOH also announced 101 new recoveries. This brings the total number of recoveries to 1,315.

The single-day number of patients who have recovered from the coronavirus  is a record high.

Data from the DOH as of Saturday showed  that 106,520 people have been tested for COVID-19 as of Saturday, 89 percent of whom tested negative while 11 percent turned out positive.

Despite the continued rise in cases, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)  earlier expressed confidence that Metro Manila, where 67 percent of infections were concentrated as of Saturday, will “graduate” to a general community quarantine after May 15.

However, Malacañang said claims that the quarantine in Metro Manila will be downgraded after May 15 are mere “speculations” as it is still too early to tell./Stacy Ang