2,245 new cases push Philippines’ COVID-19 tally to over 518,000

The Philippines’ coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tally rose to 518,407 on Wednesday after the Department of Health (DOH) announced 2,245 new infections, the highest daily increase since November 8 last year.

Baguio City tallied the highest number of new cases at 121, followed by Cebu City also with 121, Davao City with 102, Quezon City with 87, and Pangasinan with 81.

Four laboratories failed to submit data to the DOH on time.

Total recoveries also hit 475,542 after 140 more patients recovered from the respiratory disease as the death toll climbed to 10,481 with 95 new fatalities.

There are also 32,384 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine.

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the country’s vaccination campaign against COVID-19 will begin with the rollout of 1 million doses next month. 

He also refuted projections indicating that poorer countries such as the Philippines will not begin widespread COVID-19 vaccination until 2023. 

Meanwhile, Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano said Metro Manila will remain under general community quarantine in February. 

The Metro Manila Development Authority also said local governments in the capital region are ready for the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. —LDF, GMA News