Philippines reports 863 new COVID-19 cases; death toll tops 48k

The Philippines on Friday added 863 new COVID-19 infections, marking the third consecutive day where fewer than 1,000 cases were reported.

This is the second-lowest number of new cases recorded, following the 849 cases reported on November 16.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), active cases slightly decreased to 17,853 while the total case count rose to 2,830,387.

Of the active cases, 51.5% are mild, 6.6% are asymptomatic, 14.2% are severe, and 6.1% are in critical condition. 

Total recoveries climbed to 2,764,517 with 791 new ones while 142 new fatalities pushed the death toll to 48,017.

Ngayong 4 PM, Nobyembre 26, 2021, ang Department of Health ay nakapagtala ng 863 na karagdagang kaso ng COVID-19. Samantala ay mayroon namang naitalang 791 na gumaling at 142 na pumanaw.

Sa kabuuang bilang ng mga naitalang kaso sa bansa, 0.6% (17,853) ang aktibong kaso, pic.twitter.com/shkcjF4H5y

— Department of Health (@DOHgovph) November 26, 2021

A total of 17 duplicate cases were removed from the total case count while 128 cases that were previously tagged as recovered were reclassified as deaths.

Two laboratories were not operational and another two laboratories failed to submit data on time. 

The latest data showed that the country’s positivity rate stood at 2.5%, slightly lower than the 2.8% recorded on Thursday, from a total of 38,998 tests. 

Data also showed that 29% of the total 3,700 ICU beds in the country are in use while 29% of the 1,300 ICU beds in the National Capital Region (NCR) are occupied.

Meanwhile, 16% of the 13,100 ward beds nationwide are being utilized while 20% of the 3,900 ward beds in NCR are in use.

The DOH is waiting for word from the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the new coronavirus variant detected in South Africa that is believed to be more transmissible.

The Philippines, meanwhile, will begin to accept fully vaccinated foreign nationals who are allowed to stay in the country without a visa.

Prior to arrival in the Philippines, the foreign national should have stayed exclusively in “green” list countries or territories for 14 days. Areas under the green list are deemed low-risk for COVID-19 transmission.

The new travel policy will be implemented from December 1 to 15. — VBL, GMA News