Philippine COVID-19 tally now at 549,176 with 1,928 new cases

The Department of Health on Sunday announced 1,928 new COVID-19 infections, raising the nationwide total to 549,176, as five laboratories failed to submit data on time.

The latest data from the DOH showed that total recoveries also climbed to 511,743 after 10,967 more patients overcame the viral disease, while eight fatalities brought the death toll to 11,515.

The DOH noted that seven duplicates were removed from the total case count. Of these, four were recoveries.

Meanwhile, a case previously tagged as a recovery was reclassified as a death after final validation.

Of the remaining 25,918 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, 86% are mild, 7.2% are asymptomatic, 3% are critical, 2.9% are severe and 0.91% are moderate.

Moreover, the DOH also said 62% of the country’s intensive care unit beds are available, while 80% of mechanical ventilators were ready for use.

The Philippines is set to start its COVID-19 vaccination rollout this February, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said.

The country aims to vaccinate some 50 to 70 million Filipinos from COVID-19 this year, with the country allocating some P73.2 billion for the procurement.

The amount includes P40 billion coming from multilateral agencies, P20 billion from domestic sources, and P13.2 billion from bilateral agreements.

According to the government's vaccination roadmap, health workers and frontliners from select government offices will be the first to receive the vaccine, followed by indigent senior citizens, other senior citizens, and other indigents. — DVM, GMA News