DOH reports 291 new Covid-19 cases, 53 new recoveries

The total death toll stood at 335 with 20 more new deaths. (File Photo by CDC/Unsplash)

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday reported 291 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), bringing the total number of cases in the country to 5,223.

During the Beat Covid-19 virtual presser, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire also reported 53 new recoveries, bringing the total number of recovered cases to 295.

The total death toll stood at 335 with 20 more new deaths.

“Nais po namin linawin na ang mga impormasyong idi-disclose ng Covid-19 patients ay hindi natin isasa-publiko. Ito po ay ating gagamitin upang mas maging epektibo ang proseso ng (We want to clarify that we’ll not publicize the information to be disclosed by Covid-19 patients. These will only be used for a more effective process of) contact tracing,” Vergeire said.

Earlier, the DOH underscored the importance of contact tracing in providing people who were exposed to Covid-19 patients immediate and proper care.

Citing the data privacy act, Vergeire said the gathering of personal information and the contact tracing must be explained to the patient before the entire process begins.

“Ang kanilang personal information tulad ng mga lugar na pinuntahan, mga naging kasama ng Covid-19 patient ay para lamang sa kagawaran, local government officials, Philippine National Police [PNP] at iba pang ahensiya ng gobiyerno na tumutulong sa proseso ng (Their personal information such as travel history, companions of the Covid-19 patient are only for the department, local government officials and other government agencies assisting in the process of) contact tracing,” she added.

Vergeire urged the public to disclose the correct personal information for the protection and safety of the front-liners and health care workers who would attend to the Covid-19 patients.