New COVID-19 cases decline to 1,406

December 26, 2020

New coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases went down Saturday from Friday's week-high 1,885 to 1,406, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

This placed total cases at 469,005 out of which 28, 883 are active.

Among active cases, 82.5 percent are mild while 9.9 percent are asymptomatic. Critical cases reached 4.8 percent, severe 2.5 percent and 0.32 percent moderate.

Bulacan topped areas with new cases at 100 followed by Quezon City with 98, Rizal 88, Laguna 73 and Batangas 69.

Five persons died from COVID-19, pushing total fatalities to 9,067 while 266 overcame the disease to bring total recoveries to 266.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said people must follow minimum health standards to prevent COVID-19 cases from spiking.

''We have been giving daily reminders that people must follow minimum health standards so that an increase in cases will not happen,'' she told the Laging Handa public forum.

Independent research groups such as OCTA and Castor Group estimate if people do not wear face masks and face shields and implement social distancing, new COVID-19 cases can reach 4,000 to 5,000 in the National Capital Region. DMS