COVID-19 total active cases climb further to 66,567 with 5,290 new infections

The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday reported 5,290 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, bringing the total to 640,984, even as 8 laboratories failed to submit data on time.

This marks the seventh consecutive day where more than 4,000 daily cases were reported.

According to the DOH, this pushed the total active cases to 66,567, setting a new record-high for this year.

Of this, 93.3 percent are mild, 3.7 percent are asymptomatic, 1.2 percent are severe, and 1.2 percent are in critical condition.

Meanwhile, total recoveries rose to 561,530 after 439 more patients recovered from the illness while 21 new fatalities brought the death toll to 12,887.

Four duplicate cases were also removed from the total case count.

“Moreover, 6 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation,” the DOH said.

Data from the DOH also showed that 51 percent of the country’s intensive care unit beds are available while 72 percent of the mechanical ventilators are ready for use.

An expert from OCTA Research group earlier recommended to the national government to prioritize the vaccination rollout in the National Capital Region.

Moody’s Analytics has said that the Philippines is not likely to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19 until 2023, which could slow the pace of its economic recovery.

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration said 3.1% or 7,469 of the 240,297 individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 has reported an adverse event following immunization.—LDF, GMA News