5,685 new COVID-19 infections, 178 fatalities reported in Philippines

The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country rose to 1,073,555 on Wednesday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 5,685 new infections as five laboratories failed to submit data on time.

According to the DOH, the low figure is due to the low number of samples received by laboratories last Saturday and Sunday.

Due to the low figure, active cases in the country also dropped to 62,713.

Of this, 94.4% are mild, 1.8% are asymptomatic, 1.6% are severe, and 1.2% are in critical condition.

Meanwhile, 8,961 more patients have also recovered from the illness, bringing the total to 993,042, while 178 new fatalities brought the death toll to 17,800.

Twenty-two duplicate cases were also removed from the total case count.

“Moreover, 112 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation,” the DOH said.

Data also showed that 64% of the country’s intensive care unit beds are in use while 42% of the mechanical ventilators are occupied.

In the National Capital Region, 71% of the ICU beds are being utilized by patients, while 53% of the mechanical ventilators are in use.

Meanwhile, the Philippines has approved the emergency use authorization for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. -MDM, GMA News