3,999 new COVID-19 cases push Philippines’ total to over 209,000

The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippine rose to 209,544 on Friday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 3,999 new infections.

Most of the new cases reported came from the National Capital Region with 2,097. This was followed by Laguna with 178, Cavite with 138, Batangas with 132, and Cebu with 125.

A total of 36 duplicate cases were also removed from the total case count.

The DOH also announced that 510 more patients have recovered from the illness, bringing the total to 134,474, while 91 new fatalities brought the nationwide death toll to 3,325.

Among the new deaths, 55 or 60% occurred in August, 33 or 36% occurred in July, 2% occurred in June, and 1% occurred in May.

There are also 71,745 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine. Of this, 91.2% are mild, 6.8% are asymptomatic, 0.8% are severe, and 1.2% are in critical condition.

At present, the Philippines has 84 certified polymerase chain reaction facilities and 27 GeneXpert laboratories that have tested a total of 2,304,918 individuals.

Meanwhile, 50% of the country’s intensive care unit beds for patients are occupied while 27% of its ventilators are being used.

According to Dr. Rontgene Solante, an infectious disease specialist from the San Lazaro Hospital, though the cases in the country has stabilized, there has been no significant reduction.

Experts from the University of the Philippines has projected that the country’s COVID-19 cases may reach 250,000 by the end of August.

Their newest projection said that the number of infections may rise up to 375,000 by the end of September. -MDM, GMA News