Philippines' COVID-19 cases top 482,000

The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines reached 482,083 on Thursday after the Department of Health (DOH) announced 1,353 new infections as three laboratories failed to submit reports on time.

Rizal registered the highest number of new cases at 63, followed by Laguna with 62, Marikina with 60, Quezon City with 58, and Davao City with 54.

Recoveries now total 449,052 after 360 more patients recovered from the respiratory disease, while the death toll climbed to 9,356 with nine new fatalities.

There are also 23,675 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine.

The DOH earlier reported that the passenger from the Philippines who was found to have a new coronavirus variant in Hong Kong was a 30-year-old domestic helper from Cagayan Valley. She is in stable condition while in isolation. 

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said it was “possible” that she contracted the new variant in Hong Kong. 

Meanwhile, a Pulse Asia survey found that 47% of Filipinos were not willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 due to safety concerns. 

Only 32% of respondents said they would get inoculated while 21% were ambivalent on the matter.—LDF, GMA News