5,462 new COVID-19 cases push active tally to 54K

The Philippines’ tally of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases rose to 1,286,217 on Wednesday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 5,462 new infections as eight laboratories failed to submit data on time.

According to the DOH, the number of active cases slightly decreased to 54,000.

Of this, 92.6% are mild, 3.0% are asymptomatic, 1.8% are severe, and 1.4% are in critical condition.

The DOH also announced 7,854 more patients have recovered from the illness, bringing the total to 1,210,027, while 126 new fatalities brought the death toll to 22,190.

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

“Moreover, 70 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.

Earlier, the OCTA Research group said the increase in COVID-19 cases in parts of Mindanao and Visayas will likely last for at least a month.—LDF, GMA News