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Philippines logs record 6,958 new COVID-19 cases, total up to 136,638


The Philippines on Monday once again logged a record-high number of new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases after the Department of Health (DOH) announced 6,958 new infections, raising the total to 136,638.

This marks the 12th consecutive day in which more than 3,000 new cases were reported and the second time that new cases breached the 6,000 mark.

The five provinces with the highest number of new cases were Metro Manila with 4,163, Laguna with 400, Rizal with 363, Cavite with 312, and Bulacan with 178.

Among the newly reported cases, 5,789 contracted COVID-19 between July 28 and August 10, 993 caught the virus from July 1 to 27, 29 fell ill in June, 35 in May, 69 in April, and 43 in March.

Total recoveries also rose to 68,159 after 633 more patients recovered from the respiratory disease, while the death toll climbed to 2,293 with 24 new fatalities.

Six of the newly reported deaths occurred in August, 11 in July, four in June, one in May, while the remaining two patients died in April.

There are also 66,186 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, 91.6 percent of which are mild, 7.2 percent are asymptomatic, 0.6 percent are severe, and 0.6 percent are in critical condition.

The DOH said figures reported on Monday were based on data submitted by 74 out of the 99 operational laboratories.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said only 70 percent of polymerase chain reaction laboratories submit their COVID-19 reports on time. 

The department also removed 233 duplicate cases from the total tally of infections.

As of August 9, the Philippines had 76 certified polymerase chain reaction facilities and 24 GeneXpert laboratories that had tested a total of 1,673,503 individuals.

Meanwhile, 54 percent of intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients nationwide were occupied while 30 percent of mechanical ventilators were in use.—LDF, GMA News