Nearly 3,000 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were reported to the Department of Health (DOH) during the first quarter.

Based on the January-March 2020 HIV/AIDS Registry of the Philippines (HARP), there are a total of 2,818 newly-confirmed HIV cases.

The total cases are broken down into 1,039 in January, 1,227 in February, and 552 in March.

Of the new cases, the DOH said 473 showed clinical manifestations of having advanced HIV or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

During the first quarter, the DOH also saw 197 HIV-related deaths.

Sexual contact remained as the predominant mode of transmission at 2,749 (98 percent).

Among the newly diagnosed cases, the DOH said 1,768 (63 percent) were acquired through male-to-male sex. DMS