14,286 new COVID-19 cases bring Philippines’ active tally over 138K

The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country rose to 2,549,966 on Thursday with 14,286 new infections as four laboratories failed to submit data on time.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), this brought the country’s active tally to 138,294.

Of this, 77.7% are mild, 15.8% are asymptomatic, 2% are severe, and 0.9% are in critical condition.

The DOH also announced that total recoveries climbed to 2,373,378 after 8,268 more patients recovered from the illness.

Meanwhile, the death toll climbed to 38,294 with 130 new fatalities.

Fifty-two duplicate cases were also removed from the total case count while 81 cases that were tagged as recovered were reclassified as deaths.

Based on reports on September 28, the Philippines was also able to test 62,369 individuals, of which 22% tested positive for the illness.

The DOH said it is looking into the decline in the testing output.

“Nationally, we saw a 10% decrease in tests done this week compared to the previous week, meanwhile decline is also more evident in NCR with a 14% decrease,” the DOH said.

“Note as well that the testing output today in NCR is lower than the 7day moving average of tests done in the region,” it added.

Meanwhile, the intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients remain at high risk with 74% of the total 4,400 ICU beds in use while 75% of the 1,600 beds in National Capital Region (NCR) are occupied.

High risk means the occupancy rate is more than 70% but less than 85%.

Data also showed that 66% of the 15,900 ward beds in the Philippines are being utilized while 57% of the 1,100 ward beds in NCR are in use.—LDF, GMA News