For the third time this month, COVID-19 cases hit record high as new infections breach 8,000

The number of new COVID-19 cases has again reached another record high since the pandemic started as the Department of Health (DOH) reported 8,019 infections today.

This is the third time in seven days that new infections reached the highest level since the COVID-19 pandemic started over a year ago, and the first time that infections topped 8,000. 

Last Friday, March 19, was the first time that infections breached 7,000 after new cases hit 7,103. 

There are now 80,970 active cases in the country. The DOH also reported 103 recoveries and four deaths.

The positivity rate, which is the percentage of those who tested positive out of the total tested, was 14.9%.

In a press conference early today, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque largely attributed the surge in new cases to the presence of the more contagious COVID-19 variants in the country, reduced testing, and increased public gatherings.

Trade Secretary Mon Lopez, meanwhile, blamed “secret parties” as the reason why cases shot up, saying more people grew tired of the lockdown and decided to meet up with friends and families.