DOH: New COVID-19 cases registered on May 22-28 lower at 11,667

The number of fresh COVID-19 infections logged nationwide in the recent week decreased to 11,667 after weeks of uptrend, data by the Department of Health (DOH) showed on Monday.

The accumulated cases recorded from May 22 to May 25, 2023 dipped from the 12,426 cases on May 15 to May 21, 2023.

This was the first time the weekly cases declined after 12 straight weeks.

Recent daily case average also went down by 6% from the previous 1,775 to 1,667.

There were also no additional verified COVID-19-related deaths recorded during the covered period.

However, DOH’s data showed that 105 additional severe and critical cases were registered in the recent week.

In total, there were 554 severe and critical cases admitted in hospitals due to COVID-19 as of May 28. This was 10.1% of the total COVID-19 admissions.

There were also 453 intensive care unit (ICU) beds used or 21.8% of the 2,077 beds available. Meanwhile, 4,208 or 23.2% of the 18,121 non-ICU COVID-19 beds were occupied.

As for vaccination, the DOH said 78.4 million Filipinos were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of March 19. This covered 100.4% of the government’s target population.

At least 7.1 million senior citizens, or 82.16% of the target A2 population have also received their primary vaccine series.

Meanwhile, 23.8 million individuals have received their booster shots.

1,385 cases on Monday

Meanwhile, the DOH said the country reported an additional 1,385 cases on Monday, the lowest number of monitored new infections in six days.

This is the third straight day of less than 2,000 fresh cases and the 26th straight day of more than 1,000 infections, according to GMA News Research.

Based on DOH data, the new infections bring the total nationwide caseload to 4,140,680 and further decrease the active infections to 15,621 from Sunday’s 16,002.

The over 15,000 active infections come after four straight days of more than 16,000 active cases. It is likewise the fourth straight day of decreasing active cases.

Total recoveries increased by 1,766 to 4,058,593, the fourth straight day of more new recoveries than new cases. The death toll, meanwhile, stands at 66,466 — marking the ninth straight day of no new deaths.

Metro Manila remains the region with the most new COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days, with 8,097. It is followed by Calabarzon with 5,235; Central Luzon with 2,332; Western Visayas with 1,643; and the Bicol Region with 912,

COVID-19 bed occupancy is still at low risk with 22% or 5,513 of the total 25,053 beds nationwide occupied and 19, 540 vacant.  — with Sundy Locus/ RSJ/ VAL, GMA Integrated News