Philippines reports 15,592 new COVID-19 cases; active cases drop to 162K

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported 15,592 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, bringing the nationwide tally to 2,417,419, as four laboratories failed to submit data on time.

According to the DOH, this number of active cases decreased to 162,580.

Of these, 92% are mild, 3% are asymptomatic, 1.5% are severe, and 0.7% are in critical condition.

DOH also announced that total recoveries climbed by 24,059 to 2,217,611.

Meanwhile, 154 new fatalities pushed the death toll to 37,228.

Eighty-nine duplicate cases were also removed from the total case count while another 89 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after the final validation.

Based on reports on September 20, the Philippines was also able to test 53,349 individuals, of which 24.9% tested positive for the illness.

Meanwhile, the country’s intensive care unit beds and ward beds for COVID-19 patients remain at high risk.

High risk means the occupancy rate is more than 70% but less than 85%.
Around 28% of the total 4,400 ICU beds in the country are occupied while 77% of the 1,600 beds in the National Capital Region (NCR) are in use.

Data also showed that 72% of the 15,600 ward beds in the Philippines are being utilized while 71% of the 4,300 ward beds in NCR are in use.

Meanwhile, the National Economic and Development Authority earlier said that the total cost of the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of the community quarantines is estimated at P41.4 trillion over the next four decades. — BM, GMA News