New COVID-19 cases neared 13,000  even as few deaths were reported, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Tuesday.

New cases are now at 12,942 after 224 cases were reported. Seventy-eight percent, or  174 cases came from the National Capitol Region.

This is the ninth day that 200-plus new cases are reported.

Deaths reached 837, with seven announced by the DOH.

Recoveries totalled 2,843 with 114 patients recovered from COVID-19.  DMS