28,471 new COVID-19 cases raise active tally to 284K

The Department of Health reported on Tuesday 28,471 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the country's total case count to 3,270,758.

According to the DOH, 27,735 or 97% of the reported cases today occurred within the recent 14 days from January 5 to January 18. The top regions with cases in the recent two weeks were Metro Manila (9,887 or 36%), Region 4-A (6,671 or 24%) and Region 3 (2,970 or 11%).

Active cases increased to 284,458, of which 8,930 are asymptomatic; 270,784 are mild; 1,484 are severe, and 303 are in critical condition.

Total recoveries also rose to 2,933,338 after 34,892 more patients defeated the viral illness.

The death toll climbed to 52,962 with 34 new fatalities.

Of the 34 deaths, 33 occurred this month, and one in July 2020. This was due to the late encoding of death information to its system.

Meanwhile, the country's positivity rate was at 43.4%. The total conducted COVID-19 tests were 51,738.

The DOH noted that 87 duplicates were removed from the total case count, while four cases previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation.

The DOH said all laboratories were operational on January 16, while five labs were not able to submit their data.

Latest data from the DOH also showed that 49% of the country’s intensive care unit beds are utilized, while 22% of the mechanical ventilators are also in use.

In Metro Manila, 53% of the ICU beds are utilized, while 29% of the ventilators are in use.—LDF, GMA News