MANILA, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday reported 1,640 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number in the country to 360,775.

The DOH said 369 more patients recovered, raising the total number of recoveries to 310,642. The death toll climbed to 6,690 after 17 more patients died from the viral disease.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised press conference that the confirmed COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila continue to decrease while the number of active cases across the country is also on the downtrend.

"Based on the latest data, the value of reproduction for the entire Philippines and in (Metro Manila) remains below 1 and is trending in the right direction," the OCTA Research team from the University of the Philippines said, echoing the spokesperson.

"These positive trends have been sustained over the last four weeks. However, these are not irreversible. Significant efforts need to be sustained by all sectors of society to ensure that these positive trends will continue," said the team.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority general manager Jojo Garcia told a public briefing on Tuesday that Christmas parties are not to be held in Metro Manila amid the threat of COVID-19.

"We encourage the private sector not to have a Christmas party because this is where the transmission of the virus will really start because there is a mass gathering," he added. Enditem

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