2,052 new cases push Philippines' COVID-19 tally over 489,000

The Philippines’ coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caseload reached 489,736 on Monday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 2,052 new infections as three laboratories failed to submit data on time.

This marks the highest daily increase since 2,122 new cases were reported on December 18.

Davao City registered the number of new infections at 140, followed by Quezon City with 93, Cavite with 87, Laguna with 83, and Manila with 67.

Recoveries now total 458,206 after 10 more patients recovered from the respiratory disease, while the death toll rose to 9,416 with 11 new fatalities.

There are also 22,114 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine.

The DOH earlier said the post-holiday surge in infections would become evident by the end of this week. 

Meanwhile, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the Philippines has secured 30 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by India’s Serum Institute, with 60 million more expected to be locked in this week. 

Over the weekend, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the country had closed a deal for 25 million doses of China’s Sinovac vaccine, the purchase of which has been the subject of much controversy due to its low efficacy rate compared to other vaccines. 

In November last year, the Philippines also secured 2.6 million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine through the help of the private sector. 

Despite the long-awaited headways made in the procurement of vaccines, two surveys have shown low public confidence in vaccination.

A Pulse Asia poll earlier found that 47% of Filipinos were unwilling to get vaccinated, mostly due to safety concerns, while another survey by the OCTA Research group showed that only 25% of Metro Manila residents were willing to get inoculated. 

The DOH said it would launch a massive vaccine information campaign to allay the public’s fears exacerbated by the 2017 Dengvaxia controversy. —LDF, GMA News