At 4 p.m. daily, the Department of Health (DOH) releases the day’s COVID-19 statistics. That has been the case without fail for the last couple of months except maybe for frequent hours-long delays. But on Sunday, July 12, no such report came out. Why?

“Due to the significant volume of data gathered today as part of DOH’s efforts to harmonize data with the cities of the National Capital Region and the different regions, the DOH Data Team is still currently in the process of validating today’s numbers,” the health department said in a statement yesterday.

Instead, they published a report at 9 a.m. today, July 13.

As per their July 11 report, there are 54,222 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, with 14,037 recoveries and 1,372 deaths. Of this number, 38,813 are active cases.

These figures, based on initial findings, have supposedly increased.

“We also note that because of the volume of data being validated, based on initial findings we are seeing an increase in today’s number of reported cases, recoveries, and deaths,” read their statement.

“We recognize the importance of providing real-time information,” DOH added. “However, in providing this information we also want to ensure that the information we send out is accurate.”

At around quarter to 9 a.m. today, DOH held a virtual presser where they announced, after more than 12 hours after the regularly scheduled announcement, that there are now 56,259 confirmed COVID-19 cases. 38,679 of these are active, with 16,046 recoveries and 1,534 deaths. These statistics are based on data submitted by laboratories and validated today at 8 a.m.

In the same briefing, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire clarified that their reporting is dependent on submissions from laboratories (for positive cases), local government units and hospitals (for recoveries and deaths).

“Pero simple lang, kung walang submission or update, wala din po kaming irereport,” Vergeire said.

According to the undersecretary, their latest report was based on 82 percent submission from laboratories and data reconciliation from regional offices.

As for recoveries, with DOH’s direct access to LGU data, Vergeire said the public could expect more recoveries in the coming days.

“Asahan po natin na sa mga susunod na araw habang sinasagawa po natin itong data harmonization with LGUS, patuloy na tataas ang bilang ng mga recoveries na ating naitatala.”

She also clarified that not all deaths happened in July, some were from previous months as late as April but were only confirmed and reported this month.

Header photo screen captured from DOH July 13 virtual presser

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