DOH logs 2,725 new cases from Dec. 12–18, 2023, highest weekly tally in 24 weeks

The Department of Health recorded 2,725 new COVID-19 cases in the week from December 12 to 18, 2023, the highest weekly tally in 24 weeks.

The 2,725 new cases total is 50% higher than the 1,821 new cases in the previous week, and is the highest weekly total in 24 weeks, according to GMA Integrated News Research.

The total is also equivalent to a daily average of 389 cases, 50% higher than the 260 daily average cases the previous week.

This is the first time in 23 weeks that the weekly new cases exceeded 2,000, and also the first time in 23 weeks with more than 300 average daily new cases.

Among the new COVID-19 cases, 16 are classified as severe or critical cases, the highest total in eight weeks.

Sixteen deaths have been verified in the past week, the first time in 17 reporting weeks of more than 15 verified deaths in a week.

Healthcare utilization is still in the low-risk zone. As of December 17, 2023, 8.8% or 211 of the total COVID-19 admissions are categorized as severe or critical, slightly lower than the 228 severe and critical admissions as of December 10. The tally is the lowest in 11 weeks, but it is also the 11th week of more than 200 severe or critical hospital admissions.

ICU bed utilization is at 12.9%, a decline after three weeks of increase, while non-ICU bed utilization is at 18.3%, the highest in five weeks. — BM, GMA Integrated News