6,043 new COVID-19 cases logged, death toll exceeds 24K

The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines rose to 1,378,260 on Thursday with 6,043 new infections as one laboratory failed to submit reports on time.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), the country’s active cases also slightly increased to 51,410.

Of this, 90.6% are mild, 4.5% are asymptomatic, 2.0% are severe, and 1.4% are in critical condition.

The DOH also announced that 4,486 more patients recovered from the illness, bringing the total to 1,302,814, while 108 new fatalities brought the death toll to 24,036.

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

“Moreover, 44 cases previously tagged as recoveries have been validated to be active cases, and 61 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation,” the DOH said.

Data from the DOH showed that 57% of the intensive care unit beds nationwide are in use while 35% of the mechanical ventilators are occupied.

In the National Capital Region, 44% of the ICU beds are being utilized by patients while 29% of the mechanical ventilators are in use.

The DOH earlier said it is open to making science-backed changes to its COVID-19 response after Senate President Vicente Sotto III questioned the government's policy on face shields.—LDF, GMA News