12,751 new COVID-19 cases logged as DOH cites ‘technical issues’

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported 12,751 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), bringing the nationwide tally to 2,134,005, as five laboratories failed to submit data on time.

According to the DOH, technical issues in the extraction of updated data from the COVIDKaya system led to the relatively low numbers.

“This issue is currently being resolved with the Department of Information and Communications Technology. We can expect higher numbers in the next few days as we resolve the issue,” it said.

The country’s active tally stands at 151,135.

Of this, 91.6% are mild, 3.7% are asymptomatic, 1.5% are severe, and 0.7% are in critical condition.

The DOH also announced that total recoveries climbed to 1,948,198 after 20,151 more patients recovered from the illness.

Meanwhile, 174 new fatalities brought the death toll to 34,672.

A total of 54 duplicate cases were also removed from the total case count.

“Moreover, 80 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation,” the DOH said.

Based on reports on September 6, the Philippines was also able to test 57,260 individuals, of which 28.1% tested positive for the illness.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. earlier said the Philippines will raise its COVID-19 vaccination target from 70% to up to 90% to reach herd immunity by early next year.

At least 15 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated against the virus.—LDF, GMA News