Philippines’ active COVID-19 cases rise to almost 74k with 8,748 new infections

The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country rose to 1,037,460 on Friday with 8,748 new infections as five laboratories failed to submit data on time.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), this pushed the active cases in the country to 73,908.

Of this, 95.1% are mild, 1.7% are asymptomatic, 1.3% are severe, and 1% are in critical condition.

Meanwhile, 4,143 more patients have also recovered from the illness, bringing the total to 946,318.

This is the lowest number of recoveries recorded since the DOH started the daily logging of time-based recoveries of COVID-19 patients in April 20.

Meanwhile, the death toll increased to 17,234 with 89 new fatalities.

Twenty-six duplicate cases were also removed from the total case count.

“Moreover, 46 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation.

Data also showed that 64% of the country’s intensive care unit beds are in use while 43% of the mechanical ventilators are occupied.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), 71% of the ICU beds are being utilized by patients while 55% of the mechanical ventilators are in use.

Earlier, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said there is a “big possibility” that a COVID-19 surge similar to what's happening in India may happen in the Philippines if minimum health protocols are not followed.

The Philippines has imposed a travel ban on all travelers from India starting  April 29, 2021 and will last until May 14.

Meanwhile, the modified enhanced community quarantine in NCR, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna has been extended until May 14. --NB, GMA News