Philippines’ COVID-19 cases now at 1,138,187 with 6,739 new ones

The Philippines’ tally of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases rose to 1,138,187 on Saturday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 6,739 new infections as nine laboratories failed to submit data on time.

Meanwhile, the number of active cases in the country slightly dropped to 56,709.

Of this, 93.4% are mild, 2.2% are asymptomatic, 1.9% are severe, and 1.4% are in critical condition.

According to the DOH, 8,952 more patients recovered from the illness, bringing the total to 1,062,427, while 93 new fatalities brought the death toll to 19,051.

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

“Moreover, 36 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation,” the DOH said.

Data also showed that 57% of the country’s intensive care unit beds are in use while 39% of the mechanical ventilators are occupied.

In the National Capital Region, 63% of the ICU beds are being utilized by patients while 45% of the mechanical ventilators are in use.

The DOH earlier announced that three close contacts of the overseas Filipino worker, who was detected with the India variant of the coronavirus, tested positive for COVID-19.

The two OFWs detected with the variant have already recovered from the respiratory disease and are now in Soccsksargen and Bicol. -MDM, GMA News