DOH logs 195 new COVID-19 infections; active cases down to 2,139

The Philippines on Thursday logged 195 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the nationwide tally to 3,688,295.

The country’s active case count further decreased to 2,139, according to the data posted on DOH’s website.

This is so far the lowest number of active COVID-19 infections this year.

A total of 3,625,704 people have been counted as recoveries, while the death toll remained at 60,452.

The regions with the most cases in the past two weeks were the National Capital Region with 915 infections, Region 4-A with 278, and Region 3 with 248.

The health department said at least 22,677 individuals were tested, while 319 testing labs submitted data on May 18.

It noted that the bed occupancy in the country was 16.9%, with 5,271 beds occupied, while 25,900 vacant.

The DOH earlier said that another COVID-19 surge is possible if a new immune-escaping variant of the coronavirus enters the country and the immunity of vaccinated people wanes.

According to DOH Epidemiology Bureau chief Dr. Alethea de Guzman, the BA.2.12.1 variant is 20% to 27% more transmissible and also immune-escaping.

She said there were some areas in the countries that reported an increase in COVID-19 cases in the previous months but they are not sustained.

The DOH reported that the BA.2.12.1 variant has been detected in 17 people in the country. — BM, GMA News