Philippines posts 7,398 new COVID-19 cases from June 27-July 3; daily average up 60%

The Philippines recorded a total of 7,398 new COVID-19 cases from June 27 to July 3, 2022 with a daily average of 1,057 cases, the Department of Health (DOH) announced Monday.

According to the DOH, this average is 60% higher than the average of 662 cases recorded from June 20 to June 26.

Data also showed that 497 severe and critical cases are currently admitted. This is 8.4% of total COVID-19 admissions.

Of the intensive care unit beds, 15.3% are occupied while 19.9% of the non-ICU COVID-19 beds are in use.

The DOH said the country logged 19 new severe and critical cases.

Meanwhile, more than 70.7 million individuals, or 78.64% of the government’s target population, have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The DOH said 15.1 million individuals have received their booster shots.

More than 6.7 million senior citizens or 77.66% of the target population have also received their primary vaccine series.

According to the DOH, there were also 74 verified deaths during the past week. However, none occurred from June 20 to July 3.

Of the deaths, nine occurred in January and February this year while 65 occurred from March to December last year.

Active cases rise

Further, the DOH on Monday, July 4, said the country’s active cases are now at 10,094 — the highest number of active COVID-19 infections in the Philippines since April 2022.

Based on its latest bulletin, the health agency recorded 1,188 additional coronavirus cases in the country bringing the total nationwide caseload to 3,709,386.

Recoveries were at 3,638,690 while the death toll now stands at 60,602.

Metro Manila reported an increase in cases in the last 14 days with 5,783. It was followed by Region IV-A with 2,263; Region VI with 1,014; Region III with 813 and Region VII with 575.

While it remains at a safe level, the nationwide bed occupancy rate slightly increased to 18.3 percent, according to the DOH. This means out of the 29,347 hospital beds, 5,362 are occupied while 23,985 are vacant.

The department likewise reported that 13,323 individuals were tested for COVID-19 on July 3, 2022, while 303 testing labs submitted their results.—LDF, GMA News