Philippines’ tally of COVID-19 cases tops 559k with 2,240 cases

The Philippines’ tally of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections rose to 559,288 on Saturday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 2,240 new infections as six laboratories failed to submit data on time.

Data from the DOH showed that 504 more patients have recovered, bringing the total to 513,120.

Meanwhile, the death toll climbed to 12,068 with 239 new fatalities. The highest recorded daily fatalities this year.

Ten duplicate cases were removed from the total case count while 167 cases previously tagged as recovered were reclassified as deaths after final validation.

There are also 34,100 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, of which 86.7 percent are mild, 8.2 percent are asymptomatic, 2.2 percent are severe, and 2.3 percent are in critical condition.

The DOH also said that 62 percent of the country’s intensive care unit beds are available while 80 percent of the mechanical ventilators are ready for use.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel earlier said the COVID-19 pandemic will not end unless the whole world is vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the Holy See said Friday it expects a loss of almost 50 million euros ($60.6 million) this year, due to continued fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. -MDM, GMA News