Philippines’ COVID-19 death toll reach 14,059 with 242 new fatalities

The Philippines’ fatalities due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rose to 14,059 on Wednesday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 242 new ones.

On Tuesday, the country reported a record-high 382 new deaths.

The DOH also reported 6,414 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the nationwide tally to 819,164, while total recoveries climbed to 646,404 with 163 patients getting well.

 

According to the Health department, the low number of cases was due to fewer samples received by laboratories on April 5.

The total number of active cases in the country rose to 158,701. Of this, 97.5% are mild, 1.2% are asymptomatic, 0.5% are severe, and 0.5% are in critical condition.

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

“Moreover, 133 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation,” the DOH said.

Data from the DOH showed that 62% of the country’s intensive care unit beds are in use while 45% of the mechanical ventilators are occupied.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), 79% of the ICU beds are being utilized by patients while 61% of the mechanical ventilators are in use.

The OCTA Research group earlier said that the COVID-19 cases recorded in the NCR between March 31 and April 6 grew by 3% only, lower than the previous recorded weekly increase of 19% between March 25 to April 1.

Meanwhile, think tank Moody's Analytics has said the country’s already delayed vaccination program could be left even further behind as India has pushed back shipments of COVID-19 vaccines to prioritize its own needs.—LDF, GMA News