Philippines' COVID-19 cases reach 543,282 with 1,734 new infections

The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Thursday that 1,734 persons have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to 543,282, as two laboratories failed to submit data on time.

A total of 68 new fatalities brought the death toll to 11,469.

The number recoveries rose to 500,335 as 423 patients successfully battled the illness.

Twelve duplicate cases were also removed from the total case count while 52 cases previously tagged as recovered were reclassified as deaths after the final validation.

There are also 31,478 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, of which 87.6 percent are mild, 6.9 percent are asymptomatic, 2.4 percent are severe, and 2.5 percent are in critical condition.

Data from the DOH also showed that 61 percent of the country’s intensive care unit beds are available while 80 percent of the mechanical ventilators are ready for use.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 earlier said the arrival of 117,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine provided under the COVAX facility has been slightly delayed due to paperworks.

The DOH has also reminded the public to follow preventive measures against the COVID-19 in welcoming the Lunar New Year on February 12.

“Don’t let your family gatherings become superspreader events. The DOH reiterates its call for the public to follow minimum public health standards to prevent COVID-19 transmission,” it said in a statement.

It advised the public to hold online reunions and limit face-to-face celebrations Within the household as much as possible.

The DOH also reiterated the use of face masks and face shields when going outside as well as to avoid crowded spaces and follow the one-meter physical distance from other individuals.—LDF, GMA News