9,216 new COVID-19 infections bring Philippines’ active cases to over 167K

The Philippines on Thursday reported 9,216 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, bringing the total tally to 828,366, as five laboratories failed to submit data on time.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), this pushed the total active cases in the country to 167,279, this year’s highest.

Of this, 97.6% are mild, 1.2% are asymptomatic, 0.5% are severe, and 0.5% are in critical condition.

The previous highest record of active cases was 165,715 on April 3.

The DOH also announced that total recoveries climbed to 646,968 after 598 new patients recovered from the illness while 60 new fatalities brought the death toll to 14,119.

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

Meanwhile, the Health Department said that 28 cases that were previously tagged as recovered were reclassified as fatalities after final validation.

Data from the DOH showed that 63% of the country’s intensive care unit beds are in use while 45% of the mechanical ventilators are occupied.

In the National Capital Region, 81% of the ICU beds are being utilized by patients while 60% of the mechanical ventilators are in use.

On Wednesday evening. the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the vaccine developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac amid a shortage in vaccine supply.

Meanwhile, the Philippines earlier halted its use of AstraZeneca’s vaccines for individuals younger than 60 years following reports of rare blood clots with low platelet counts in some recipients overseas.—LDF, GMA News