Philippines’ COVID-19 cases exceed 555K with 1,744 new infections

The Philippines’ tally of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases rose to 555,163 on Thursday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 1,744 new infections as six laboratories failed to submit data on time.

According to the DOH, 412 more patients have also recovered, bringing the total to 512,375, while the death toll climbed to 11,673 with 96 new fatalities.

The DOH also said that five duplicate cases were removed from the total case count while 68 cases previously tagged as recovered were reclassified as fatalities.

There are also 31,115 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, of which 85.6 percent are mild, 8.6 percent are asymptomatic, 2.5 percent are severe, and 2.5 percent are in critical condition.

Data from the DOH also showed that 63 percent of the country’s intensive care unit beds are available while 80 percent of the mechanical ventilators are ready for use.

The National Economic Development Authority has proposed placing the entire Philippines under the least stringent modified general community quarantine starting March 1.

The OCTA Research Team, however, has warned of a surge in COVID-19 cases should President Rodrigo Duterte approve the proposal.—LDF, GMA News