29,828 new Philippine COVID-19 infections push active cases to 273,580

The Department of Health on Sunday reported 29,828 new cases of COVID-19, raising the country's active infections to 273,580.

Of the active cases, 8,371 were asymptomatic; 260,399 were mild; 3,006 were moderate; 1,496 were severe; 308 were in critical condition.

The new cases brought the country's total caseload to 3,417,216.

Of the cases reported today, the DOH said 29,237, or 98% occurred within the last 14 days from January 10 to January 23.

The regions with the most number of cases in the last two weeks were the National Capital Region with 5,178 or 18%, Region IV-A with 4,227 or 14%, and Region III with 2,787 or 10%.

Total recoveries also rose to 3,090,164 after 36,763 more patients recovered from the illness.

The death toll climbed to 53,472 with 67 new fatalities.

Of the 67 deaths, the DOH said 49 occurred in January 2022, one in December 2021, two in November 2021, eight in October 2021, four in September 2021, and one each in August, July, and June 2021.

Meanwhile, the country's positivity rate was 41.8%. The total conducted COVID-19 tests were 69,014.

The DOH noted that 136 duplicates were removed from the total case count, while 22 cases previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation.

The DOH said all laboratories were operational on January 21, while two labs were not able to submit their data.

The latest data from the DOH also showed that 51% of the country’s intensive care unit beds are utilized, while 24% of the mechanical ventilators are also in use.

In Metro Manila, 48% of the ICU beds are utilized, while 27% of the ventilators are in use. — DVM, GMA News