The Philippines’ tally of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases surpassed the  38,000  mark on Wednesday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 999 more infections—595 “fresh” and 404 “late”—bringing the total to 38,511.

The death toll climbed to 1,270 with four new fatalities.

Total recoveries also rose to 10,438 after 205 more patients recovered from the respiratory disease.

Among the fresh cases, 175 are from Metro Manila, 134 are from Region VII, while the remaining 286 are spread out across the country.

Among the late cases, 131 are from Metro Manila, 57 are from Region VII, while the 216 other patients came from various areas nationwide.

The DOH also removed two duplicate cases from the total tally of infections.

As of June 29, the Philippines has 53 certified polymerase chain reaction facilities and 19 GeneXpert laboratories that have tested a total of 666,678 individuals.

Meanwhile, 1,262 or 35.10 percent of intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients are currently occupied while 1,995 or 23.11 percent of mechanical ventilators are in use.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier announced  that Cebu City, which has the highest number of cases nationwide, will remain under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) while Metro Manila will stay under general community quarantine  (GCQ) until July 15./Stacy Ang