Philippines reports highest single-day COVID-19 death toll at 186 as total infections near 258k

The Philippines on Saturday reported the highest number of deaths in a single day from COVID-19 since March at 186, as the total number of infections rose to 257,863 with 4,935 new cases -  the second consecutive day to register over 4,000 cases.

Most of the new cases reported came from the National Capital Region with 2,619. This was followed by Cavite with 343, Laguna with 258, Rizal with 227, and Negros Occidental with 177.

Eighty-two percent of the new cases acquired the virus in the past 14 days. A total of 36 cases were also removed from the total case count.

Meanwhile, 659 more patients have also recovered from the illness, bringing the total to 187,116, while the death toll climbed to 4,292 with 186 new fatalities.

Prior to the 186 death toll on Saturday, the highest single-day count was recorded on July 12 when the DOH reported 162 deaths.

Among the new deaths reported on Saturday, 36 occurred in September, 63 in August, 59 in July, 24 in June, three in May, and one in April.

There are also 66,455 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, of which 89.2 percent are mild, 8.2 percent are asymptomatic, 1.1 percent are severe, and 1.6 percent are in critical condition.

At present, the Philippines has 119 licensed laboratories that have tested a total of 2,848,985 individuals.

Meanwhile, 48 percent of the country’s intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients are occupied and 26 percent of mechanical ventilators are in use. -MDM, GMA News