Philippines’ active COVID-19 cases now at 193,476 with 10,726 new infections

The Philippines’ tally of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases rose to 914,971 on Friday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 10,726 new infections as six laboratories failed to submit on time.

According to the DOH, this pushed the total active cases to 193,476, the highest recorded this year.

Of this, 96% are mild, 2.9% are asymptomatic, 0.5% are severe, and 0.4% are in critical condition.

Meanwhile, 650 more patients have also recovered from the illness, bringing the total to 705,757, while 145 new fatalities brought the death toll to 15,738.

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

“Moreover, 39 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation,” the DOH said.

Data from the DOH showed that 68% of the country’s intensive care unit beds are in use while 48% of the mechanical ventilators are occupied.

In the National Capital Region, 84% of the ICU beds are being utilized by patients while 64% of the mechanical ventilators are in use.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday night acknowledged he is uncertain when the Philippines would have enough supply of the COVID-19 vaccine to inoculate the Filipino people.

He also said that individuals who do not believe in getting vaccinated against the illness can go ahead and die.

Meanwhile, the OCTA Research group earlier said five cities in NCR showed a downward trend in new COVID-19 cases as the reproduction number in the capital region decreased to 1.16.—LDF, GMA News