DOH logs 913 fresh COVID-19 cases from Feb. 27-Mar. 5

A total of 913 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the Philippines from February 27 to March 5, 2023, data from the Department of Health showed Monday.

The infections reported in this covered period were a bit higher than the 832 cases from February 20 to February 26.

The recent daily case average also increased by 10% from the previous 119 to 130.

Additionally, 56 additional verified COVID-19-related deaths were belatedly recorded by the DOH from November 2020 to February 2023.

Of these deaths, 10 occurred in February 2023, one in March 2022, five in February 2022, seven in January 2022, one in December 2021, five in October 2021, five in September 2021, five in August 2021, one in July 2021, one in June 2021, five in May 2021, five in April 2021, three in March 2021, and one each in February 2021, and in November 2020.

Six of these fatalities also occurred from February 20 to March 5, alone.

117 new cases on Monday

Meanwhile, the DOH said 117 new coronavirus cases were monitored in the country, bringing the total nationwide caseload to 4,077,109.

This lowers the active infections to 8,940 from the 8,943 recorded on Sunday, latest data from the agency showed.

The total number of recoveries rose to 4,002,009 while the death toll is now at 66,160.

The highest number of fresh cases in 14 days was reported in Metro Manila with 416. It was followed by Davao Region with 228; CALABARZON with 210; Soccksargen with 122; and Northern Mindanao with 88.

COVID-19 bed occupancy in the country is still at low risk with 16.2%.

5,127 individuals were tested for the virus on Sunday, March 5.  288 testing laboratories submitted their results.

Vaccination, hospital updates

The number of fully vaccinated Filipinos against COVID-19 remained at 73.8 million, covering 94.61% of the government’s target population.

At least 6.9 million senior citizens, or 79.49% of the target A2 population have also received their primary vaccine series.

Meanwhile, 21.5 million individuals have received their booster shots.

The DOH’s recent data also showed that 395 severe and critical cases are currently admitted in hospitals due to COVID-19 as of March 5. This was 10.9% of the total COVID-19 admissions.

None of the patients were tagged as a new severe or critical case in the recent week.

At least 260 or 13.3% of the 1,978 intensive care unit (ICU) beds were also used, while 2,840 or 16.8% of the 16,871 non-ICU COVID-19 beds were occupied. — RSJ/ VAL, GMA Integrated News