Philippine COVID-19 tally tops 421,000 with 1,118 new cases

The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines rose to 421,722 on Tuesday after the Department of Health (DOH) announced 1,118 new infections as 11 laboratories failed to submit reports on time.

Caloocan City tallied the highest number of newly reported cases at 89, followed by Davao City with 52, Laguna with 52, Quezon province with 47, and Quezon City with 46.

Meanwhile, total recoveries increased to 386,792 after 196 more patients recovered from the respiratory illness.

The death toll also climbed to 8,185 with 12 new fatalities.

“Moreover, six cases previously tagged as recovered were reclassified as deaths,” the DOH added.

The remaining 26,745 are active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, 83.7 percent of which are mild, 7.9 percent are asymptomatic, 2.8 percent are severe, and 5.3 percent are in critical condition.

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. earlier said the Philippines was in talks with three COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers to secure 60 million doses by 2021. 

He said Metro Manila, Davao, Cebu, and Bacolod, areas hardest hit by the pandemic, will be prioritized in the distribution of vaccines.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III also said the government has allotted P73.2 billion for the vaccination of 60 million Filipinos.—LDF, GMA News