16,621 new COVID-19 infections push active cases over 146K

The Philippines' tally of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases rose to 2,020,484 on Thursday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 16,621 new infections as five laboratories failed to submit data on time.

According to the DOH, the new infections brought the country’s active cases to 146,510.

Of this, 96.2% are mild, 1.1% are asymptomatic, 1.1% are severe, and 0.6% are in critical condition.

The DOH also announced that total recoveries climbed to 1,840,294 after 10,965 more patients recovered from the illness.

Meanwhile, 148 new fatalities brought the death toll to 33,680.

A total of 92 duplicate cases were also removed from the total case count.

“Moreover, 66 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation,” the DOH said.

Based on reports on August 31, the Philippines was also able to test 60,973 individuals, of which 26,9% tested positive for the illness.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said that herd immunity can be achieved by the first quarter of 2022 with 500,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses being administered daily.

The Philippines on Monday recorded a new all-time high of 22,366 cases.—LDF, GMA News