Philippines logs record-high 17,231 new COVID-19 cases

The Philippines on Friday logged a new all-time high 17,231 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, bringing the nationwide tally to 1,807,800, as two laboratories failed to submit data on time.

The previous highest daily increase was at 15,310 on April 2.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), this brought the country’s active cases to 123,251, also the highest since April 20.

Of this, 94.1% are mild, 3.2% are asymptomatic, 1.2% are severe, and 0.7% are in critical condition.

The DOH also announced that total recoveries climbed to 1,653,351 after 5,595 more patients recovered from the illness.

Meanwhile, 317 new fatalities brought the death toll to 31,198. This is the second highest fatalities recorded, following on the 401 deaths recorded on April 09.

A total of 434 duplicate cases were also removed from the total case count.

“Moreover, 1 case previously tagged as a recovery has been validated to be an active case and 221 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation,” the DOH said.

High case count due to several factors

In a message to reporters, the DOH said the high case count may be due to a combination of factors.

“[B]reaches in the minimum public health standards and in the Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate strategies, and may have also been aggravated by the presence of variants,” the DOH said.

“Since our LGUs have been conducting intensive contact tracing and active case finding especially in high-risk areas during the past few weeks, this may have also contributed to the increasing numbers as we actively find more cases,” it added.

ICU beds

Data from the DOH showed that 73% of the intensive care unit beds nationwide are in use while 52% of the mechanical ventilators are occupied.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), 74% of the ICU beds are being utilized by patients while 57% of the mechanical ventilators are in use.

From the strictest enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) classification, NCR and the province of Laguna will be placed under a modified ECQ starting August 21 until August 31. 

LGU with highest cases

According to an expert of the OCTA Research group, five cities in NCR recorded the highest number of new COVID-19 cases across the Philippines.

Data from Dr. Guido David showed that Quezon City recorded 879 new infections, followed by Manila with 551, Caloocan with 482, Pasig with 411, and Makati with 364.

Meanwhile, Bacoor recorded 341 new cases, Cebu reported 340, Davao recorded 333, Taguig reported 279, and Las Piñas reported 277.

Calaba, Tuguegarao City, and Lapu-Lapu City recorded the least daily infections with 179, 175, and 174 new cases, respectively.

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