Philippines' 1,340 COVID-19 cases from Nov. 28-Dec. 4 highest in 19 weeks

The Philippines recorded 1,340 new coronavirus cases from November 28 to December 4, 2023, the highest number of fresh infections in 19 weeks, data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed.

Based on the latest DOH weekly bulletin, the new COVID-19 infections in the recent week were 10% higher than the 1,218 cases monitored from November 21 to November 27, 2023.

It also marks the fourth straight week of increasing COVID-19 cases and the fourth straight week of over 1,000 new weekly cases, according to GMA News Research.

Meanwhile, the average daily cases for the recent week was 191 — also a 10% increase from the 174 average daily case rate in the previous week.

This is the 19th straight week of more than 100 but less than 200 daily new cases and the fourth straight week of more than 150 average daily.

Of the new weekly cases, the DOH said 11 were tagged as severe or critical cases.

No COVID-19-related fatalities were verified during the recent week.

Meanwhile, 253, or 10.1% of the total COVID-19 admissions were in severe and critical conditions. At least 11.6% or 158 out of 1,361 ICU beds were used while 17.5% or 2,037 out of 11,624 non-ICU beds were currently utilized.

Healthcare utilization is still in the low-risk zone.

As for vaccination, the DOH said over 78 million individuals, or 100.4% of the target population have completed their primary doses. At least 7.1 million senior citizens, or 82.16% of the target A2 population have also received their primary vaccine series. Meanwhile, 23 million individuals have received their booster shots.—LDF, GMA Integrated News