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The Philippines now has the highest number of COVID-19 active cases in Southeast Asia, going past Indonesia’s record.
Active cases have reached 124,680 on March 30, which is more than the neighboring country’s number at 122,326. It is the highest record of the Philippines since the start of the pandemic.
JUST IN: The Philippines now has the highest number of ACTIVE CASES in Southeast Asia for the first time since September 2020, after overtaking Indonesia
124,680 active cases today
– highest in Southeast Asia
– highest recorded in the Philippines since the start of the pandemic https://t.co/SkRP4EHVrl pic.twitter.com/SpeLcuMBXp— Edson (@EdsonCGuido) March 30, 2021
After 4 days, with an average of more than 10,000 cases daily in the past week, DOH reported this afternoon (April 3) 12,576 new cases with 103 new deaths (13,423 total) and 599 new recoveries (604,905 total), more than 10,000 for the 2nd straight day. This brings the total to 784,043 cases with 165,715 active.
LOOK: The 15,310 cases reported in the PHILIPPINES yesterday (which includes 3,709 case backlogs) is the highest single-day tally for any country in Southeast Asia since the start of the pandemic
It surpassed the 14,518 cases recorded in Indonesia on January 30. pic.twitter.com/iaewbikiZP
— Edson (@EdsonCGuido) April 3, 2021
Netizens reacted to the record, slamming President Rodrigo Duterte and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque for their past remarks.
The president is doing his "best". Expect Roque to spin this tomorrow, and/or trolls extremely tagging Filipinos as "pasaway". https://t.co/NT3J9I7zK5
— Hello, N (@BlkTwentyEight) March 30, 2021
Pia Magalona also tweeted against the Government’s COVID response, accusing them of not prioritizing the pandemic and “power-tripping.”
“Lahat nalang pwera itama ang sistema! I demand better,” Magalona wrote.
Eh Kasi nga, imbes na tuunan ng pansin yung pandemya, kung anu-ano ang pinagkakaabalahan ng mga pinuno natin. Pati mga personal na intriga, tanggalan ng trabaho, patayan, power tripping… lahat nalang pwera itama ang sistema!! I demand BETTER. https://t.co/CEiAjkoPUP
— Pia Magalona ⁷ #DefendOurFreedom (@piamagalona) March 30, 2021
A Twitter user mentioned Indonesia’s population is much higher, yet active cases in the Philippines still topped the list.
We now have the highest number of COVID-19 active cases in Southeast Asia, overtakes Indonesia.
Today, PH has a total of 124,680 active cases, highest in Southeast Asia, since the start of the pandemic
Indonesia's population is at 276,361,783, while Philippines at 110,655,296. https://t.co/aMpOnH2S9v
— SyLicoNgaAko 璃乎. リコ. りこ. #DutertePalpak (@SyLicoNgaAko) March 30, 2021
Another also pointed out the population difference between the two countries.
Indonesia has DOUBLE our population. This is BAD. https://t.co/dQuYw4sU24
— Lumos (@nadz323) March 30, 2021
Others used the hashtag #PinoyPride for the new record.
#PinoyPride ba kamo? https://t.co/wiUShWAuT9
— Marga Deona (@margavsmachine) March 30, 2021
Someone quoted Roque’s previous statement saying that the President is “10 steps ahead” when it comes to the pandemic response.
“Thank you very much, but again po, a bit too late kasi si Presidente Duterte po 10 steps ahead,” Roque said. https://t.co/xJsGYzKoIJ
— MrsM (@chellemacx21) March 30, 2021
Another expressed envy towards Vietnam, which has the least number of COVID cases in the region.
Nakakainggit ka Vietnam!! https://t.co/kdcdbbtPrp
— Beovivant ♑ (@Mhelkyta) March 30, 2021
"The highest single day tally for any country in Southeast Asia." https://t.co/3sCSUg81AJ
— Марк Стивен Балили (@_markieesteven) April 3, 2021
Summation #DutertePalpak #DuterteResign It’s obvious you can’t handle it. Step down. We want: No more deaths and rising cases. HCWs freed from their burdens. No more mass incarceration and economic losses. Step down, NOW. Don’t go on TV with your shameless face if not for that. https://t.co/zBfKPDM079
— moo (@warmteabreaks) April 3, 2021
How many record-breaking high in terms of new Covid cases should we have? Is the record even worth breaking to just like how proud we all are when we make it to the Guiness Book of World Record? #ProudFilipinoHere https://t.co/cVa8x0LSYx
— James Carl (@jczaoldyeck) April 3, 2021
In March alone, [at least] 164,829 new COVID cases were reported.
On March 30, 9,296 cases were added to the previous figures, bringing the country’s total to 741,181. The Department of Health also reported five new COVID deaths, which bring the death toll to 13,191.
According to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, the government still has no plans of conducting mass testing despite the rapid surge of positive cases.
