Philippines logs 8,167 new COVID-19 infections; active cases at 62,615

The Philippines’ COVID-19 caseload increased to 1,605,762 on Monday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 8,167 new infections, marking the fourth straight day with over 8,000 new cases.

Total recoveries also rose to 1,515,054 after 9,095 more patients recovered from the respiratory illness.

Meanwhile, the death toll hit 28,093 after 77 more patients succumbed to COVID-19.

This leaves the country with 62,615 active cases, 93.9% of which are mild, 1.3% are asymptomatic, 1.48% are moderate, 2.1% are severe, and 1.2% are in critical condition.

The DOH also said 94 duplicates were removed from the total tally of infections, 19 cases previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as active cases, and 29 other recoveries were tagged as deaths after final validation.

The agency said one laboratory was not operational on July 31 and three other labs failed to submit their data to the DOH on time.

“Based on data in the last 14 days, the three non-reporting and one non-operating labs contribute, on average, 1.5% of samples tested and 1.0% of positive individuals,” the DOH said.

Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said four big hospitals in Metro Manila will get a total of 240 additional intensive care unit beds as the country braces for a possible rise in admissions. 

The capital region will be under the strictest lockdown classification from August 6 to 20 to curb the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant.—LDF, GMA News