Philippines’ COVID-19 tally exceeds 571,000 with 2,651 new cases

The Philippines’ tally of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases rose to 571,327 on Friday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 2,651 new infections as eight laboratories failed to submit data on time.

This is the highest number of COVID-19 infections reported in a single day for this year.

According to the DOH, 561 more patients have also recovered from the illness, bringing the total to 524,582.

Meanwhile, the death toll climbed to 12,247 with 46 new fatalities.

Four duplicate cases were removed from the total case count while 20 cases previously tagged as recovered were reclassified as deaths after final validation.

There are also 34,498 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, of which 88.4% are mild, 6.4% are asymptomatic, 2.1% are severe, and 2.3% are in critical condition.

Data from the DOH showed that 60% of the country’s intensive care unit beds are available while 80% of the mechanical ventilators are ready for use.

The DOH earlier said the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) has agreed to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine of China's Sinovac Biotech for health workers.

Meanwhile,  600,000 doses of Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine that were donated by China are expected to arrive in the Philippines on Sunday, February 28.

President Rodrigo Duterte will personally welcome the vaccines.—AOL, GMA News