4,777 new COVID-19 cases reported as death toll exceeds 22K

The Philippines on Tuesday reported 4,777 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, bringing the total tally to 1,280,773, as 10 laboratories failed to submit data on time.

This is the first time that less than 5,000 cases were reported in 13 days.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), this brought the number of active cases to 56,452.

Of this, 93.2% are mild, 2.5% are asymptomatic, 1.7% are severe, and 1.3% are in critical condition.

The DOH also announced that total recoveries climbed to 1,202,257 with 7,122 new ones while 95 more fatalities brought the death toll to 22,064.

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

“Moreover, 40 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation,” the DOH said.

Based on data from the DOH, 58% of the country’s intensive care unit beds are in use while 38% of the mechanical ventilators are occupied.

In the National Capital Region, 53% of the ICU beds are being utilized by patients while 35% of the mechanical ventilators are in use.

The DOH earlier announced that the Philippines has expanded its emergency use authorization of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to cover individuals aged 12 and above.—LDF, GMA News