8,571 new COVID-19 cases push Philippines’ total to over 884K

The Philippines on Tuesday reported 8,571 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, bringing the total to 884,783, as nine laboratories failed to submit data on time.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), this pushed the total active cases in the country to 165,534, of which 96.9% are mild, 1.8% are asymptomatic, 0.5% are severe, and 0.4% are in critical condition.

The DOH also announced that total recoveries climbed to 703,963 after 400 new patients recovered from the illness while 137 new fatalities brought the death toll to 15,286.

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

“Moreover, 54 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation,” the DOH said.

Data from the DOH showed that 66% of the country’s intensive care unit beds are in use while 47% of the mechanical ventilators are occupied.

In the National Capital Region, 85% of the ICU beds are being utilized by patients while 62% of the mechanical ventilators are in use.

The DOH on Monday reminded the public that rapid antigen test kits for COVID-19 cannot be used at home as they can only be administered by an authorized medical professional.—LDF, GMA News