Philippines reports 3,714 new COVID-19 cases, total now at 232,072

The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country rose to 232,072 on Friday after the Department of Health (DOH) announced 3,714 new infections.

Most of the new cases reported came from the National Capital Region with 1,797. This was followed by Negros Occidental with 390, Batangas with 248, Laguna with 247, and Cavite with 150.

Eighty-eight percent of the newest cases acquired the virus in the past 14 days. A total of 45 duplicate cases were also removed from the total case count.

The DOH also announced that 1,088 more patients have recovered from the illness, bringing the total to 160,549, while 49 new fatalities brought the nation’s death toll to 3,737.

Among the new deaths, five occurred in September, 35 in August, four in July, three in June, and two in May.

Meanwhile, there are 67,786 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine. Of this, 90.7 percent are mild, 6.9 percent are asymptomatic, 0.9 percent are severe, and 1.4 percent are in critical condition.

At present, the Philippines has 87 certified polymerase chain reaction facilities and 28 GeneXpert laboratories that have tested a total of 2,564,662 individuals.

Forty-nine percent of the country’s intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients are occupied while 28 percent of mechanical ventilators are being used.

Experts from the University of the Philippines have said the country’s cases is on a downward trend and approaching a flattened curve towards September. However, they warned against complacency.

On Thursday, the Philippines reported 1,987 new infections, the lowest since July 29.

Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the DOH is still observing the decrease in the number of cases, adding that a reliable analysis would only be possible if the trend goes on for a week.—LDF, GMA News