Philippines’ COVID-19 cases now at 72,269 with 1,594 new infections

The Philippines’ tally of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases reached 72,269 on Wednesday after the Department of Health (DOH) announced 1,594 more infections —750 “fresh” or newly validated and 844 reported late.

The five provinces with the highest number of new cases were Metro Manila with 971, Cebu with 252, Zamboanga Del Sur with 53, Negros Occidental with 35, and Rizal with 26.

Total recoveries also rose to 23,623 after 342 more patients recovered from the respiratory illness, while the death toll climbed to 1,843 with six new fatalities.

There are also 46,803 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, 90.1 percent of which are mild, 9 percent are asymptomatic, 0.5 percent are severe, and 0.4 percent are in critical condition.

The DOH said figures reported on Wednesday were based on data submitted by 78 out of the 89 operational laboratories.

The department also removed 89 duplicate cases from the total tally of infections.

Malacañang earlier said Metro Manila may revert back to the more stringent modified enhanced community quarantine if cases spike to 85,000 by July 31. 

Experts from the University of the Philippines previously projected that cases in the country could reach 85,000 by the end of the month.

As of July 21, the Philippines had 68 certified polymerase chain reaction facilities and 23 GeneXpert laboratories that had tested a total of 1,131,800 individuals.

Meanwhile, 51.7 percent of intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients nationwide were occupied while 29.1 percent of mechanical ventilators were in use.

The DOH earlier ordered public hospitals to allot 50 to 70 percent of beds for COVID-19 cases in case of a surge in infections. —LDF, GMA News