The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines topped 61,000 on Thursday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 2,498 more infections—1,246 “fresh” or newly validated and 1,252 reported late—bringing the total to 61,266.

The figure is reportedly the highest so far in new infections.

The five provinces with the highest number of new cases were Metro Manila with 1,886, Cebu with 198, Cavite with 57, Davao del Sur with 44, and Laguna with 44.

Total recoveries also rose to 21,440 after 467 more patients recovered from the respiratory disease, while the death toll climbed to 1,643 with 29 new fatalities.

Of the 29 deaths, 8 (28%) in July, 19 (66%) in June, 2 (7%) in May. Deaths were from Region 7 (16 or 55%), NCR (9 or 31%), Region 11 (3 or 10%) and CARAGA (1 or 3%).

There are also 38,183 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, 90.7 percent of which are mild, 8.5 percent are asymptomatic, 0.4 percent are severe, and 0.5 percent are in critical condition.

The DOH said figures reported on Thursday were based on data submitted by 71 out of the 84 operational laboratories, according to DOH COVID-19 Case Bulletin  #124.

The department also removed 82 duplicate cases from the total tally of infections./Stacy Ang