11,429 new COVID-19 cases push Philippines’ tally to 904,285

The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday reported 11,429 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, bringing the total to 904,285, as seven laboratories failed to submit data on time.

According to the DOH, this pushed the total active cases to 183,527.

Of this, 96% are mild, 2.8% are asymptomatic, 0.5% are severe, and 0.4% are in critical condition.

The DOH also reported that total recoveries climbed to 705,164 with 856 new ones while the death toll rose to 15,594 with 148 new fatalities.

Twenty-four duplicate cases were also removed from the total case count while 68 cases that were previously tagged as recovered were reclassified as deaths.

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.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chief Eric Domingo earlier said he has recommended that the Philippines continue to use AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine after it underwent experts' review amid blood clot concerns.

Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology said the Philippines will possibly have its own fill-finish facilities for vaccine manufacturing by 2022.—LDF, GMA News