The Philippines logged on Sunday 2,396 new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections bringing the total to 383,113 in the country, the Department of Health reported.
The DOH also reported 17,727 recoveries, bringing the total to 348,760.
The DOH also reported 17 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 7,238.
There are also 27,115 active cases.
The DOH also said 12 duplicates were removed from the total case count. Of these, 8 were recovered cases.
Some 15 labs were not able to submit their data to the COVID-19 Data Repository System (CDRS) on October 31, 2020.
Meanwhile, the DOH said it did not endorse the use of necklace air purifiers, adding that while wearing such didi not pose any harm, there was still no evidence that would suggest they were effective against COVID-19.
“While these devices do not pose any harm, the DOH currently does not recommend using these devices due to lack of evidence of efficacy,” the DOH said in a statement.
“The DOH emphasizes that it is not endorsing the use of necklace air purifiers that claim to kill bacteria or viruses, or protect from COVID-19,” it added.
The DOH pointed out wearing such air purifiers should not replace the minimum health standards in place against COVID-19.
"Mask wearing, hand washing and physical distancing remain to be our best protection," it added.
The Food and Drug Administration in May said Filipinos should be wary of products claiming to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The FDA gave the warning after the United States’ crackdown on the said brand and other bogus products being marketed to people who sought protection against the virus.
Sales of air purifiers using a unique technology, meanwhile, have grown about fivefold in some countries, such as Indonesia, as many people continue to fear being infected with COVID-19.
