1,783 new COVID-19 cases push Philippines’ total to 582,223

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported 1,783 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, bringing the nationwide tally to 582,223, as seven laboratories failed to submit data on time.

This is the first time after six consecutive days where less than 2,000 cases were reported.

According to the DOH, 330 more patients have recovered from the illness, bringing the total to 534,778, while the death toll climbed to 12,389 with 20 new fatalities.

Two duplicate cases were removed from the total case count while 14 cases previously tagged as recovered were reclassified as deaths after the final validation.

There are also 35,056 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, of which 90.1 percent are mild, 4.7 percent are asymptomatic, 2.2 percent are severe, and 2.2 percent are in critical condition.

Data from the DOH also showed that 60 percent of the country’s intensive care unit beds are available while 78 percent of the mechanical ventilators are ready for use.

The Health Department earlier said that the plateauing of COVID-19 cases across the Philippines during the previous three to four weeks was disrupted by a spike in infections in the last two weeks.

Despite the spike in cases, the OCTA Research Group also said that some people appeared to have lowered their guard against COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Philippines is expected to receive 487,200 doses of COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by AstraZeneca on Thursday.

On Sunday, the Philippines received 600,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from China's Sinovac Biotech.—LDF, GMA News