Philippines registers only 168 new COVID-19 cases due to low lab output

The Philippines on Tuesday reported only 168 new COVID-19 infections, raising the country's total tally to 2,837,719.

According to the Department of Health, four laboratories were not operational on December 19 and 20 laboratories were not able to submit their data on time.

"Based on data in the last 14 days, the 24 labs contribute, on average, 4.8% of samples tested and 4.5% of positive individuals," the DOH said.

Ngayong 4 PM, Disyembre 21, 2021, ang Department of Health ay nakapagtala ng 168 na karagdagang kaso ng COVID-19. Samantala ay mayroon namang naitalang 372 na gumaling at 10 na pumanaw.

Sa kabuuang bilang ng mga naitalang kaso sa bansa, 0.3% (9,384) ang aktibong kaso, pic.twitter.com/ltqnEy30vi

— Department of Health (@DOHgovph) December 21, 2021

It also noted that of the 168 cases, 159 occurred within the recent 14 days. The top regions with cases in the recent two weeks were Metro Manila, Region 4-A, and Region 6.

Moreover, the new cases brought the total active cases in the country to 9,384, of which 508 are asymptomatic; 3,289 are mild; 1,804 are severe, and 377 are in critical condition.

The total number of recoveries rose to 2,777,541 after 372 more patients defeated the respiratory illness.

The death toll climbed to 50,794 with 10 new fatalities.

The DOH said of the 10 deaths, six occurred in December 2021, two in November, one in August, and one in May due to late encoding of death information to COVIDKaya.

Further, the DOH said 179 cases found to have tested negative have been removed from the total case count, while six cases previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation.

Data from the DOH also showed that 22% of the country’s intensive care unit beds are utilized, while 11% of the mechanical ventilators are also in use.

In Metro Manila, 21% of the ICU beds are in use, while 12% of the ventilators are utilized.—LDF, GMA News