Philippines’ COVID-19 tally tops 143,000 with 4,444 new cases

The Philippines’ tally of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases jumped to 143,749 on Wednesday after the Department of Health (DOH) announced 4,444 new infections.

The five provinces with the highest number of new cases were Metro Manila with 2,618, Laguna with 233, Cavite with 227, Rizal with 174, and Bulacan with 129.

“Of the 4,444 reported cases today, 3,294 (74%) cases occurred within the recent 14 days (July 30-August 12, 2020). The top regions with cases from the recent two weeks were from NCR (1,855 or 57%), Region 4A (580 or 18%), and Region 3 (190 or 6%),” the DOH said.

Total recoveries also rose to 68,997 after 636 more patients recovered from the respiratory disease, while the death toll climbed to 2,404 with 93 new fatalities.

Out of the newly reported deaths, 13 occurred in August, 49 in July, 30 in June, while the last patient died in May.

There are also 72,348 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, 91.3 percent of which are mild, 7.3 percent are asymptomatic, 0.6 percent are severe, and 0.7 percent are in critical condition.

The DOH said figures reported on Wednesday were based on data submitted by 91 out of the 100 operational laboratories.

The department also removed 233 duplicate cases from the total tally of infections.

As of August 11, the Philippines had 105 licensed laboratories that had tested a total of 1,726,148 individuals while 55 percent of intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients nationwide were occupied and 30 percent of mechanical ventilators were in use.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said more information and studies are still needed on Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine. 

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire likewise said it was uncertain whether a COVID-19 vaccine could be rolled out by December. 

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier expressed confidence that Russia would give its vaccines to the Philippines for free in the coming months. —LDF, GMA News