As UK begins vaccination, COVID-19 cases in PH climb to over 442,000

MANILA, Philippines — The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines jumped to over 442,000 on Tuesday after 1,400 new cases were logged.

The Department of Health (DOH) said the total COVID-19 cases in the country is now at 442,785—of which 25,325 remain active.

DOH added that there are also 139 new recoveries, bringing the total of those who have recovered from the disease to 408,790.

The death toll, meanwhile, stands at 8,670 after the health department logged 98 new fatalities.

Of the newly reported cases, 101 came from Benguet, 90 were from Davao City, 82 were from Quezon City, 75 were from Rizal, and 56 were from Laguna.

Further, of the active cases, 84.8 percent are considered mild, 6.6 percent are asymptomatic, 5.5 percent are critical, 2.8 percent are severe, and 0.32 percent is moderate.

DOH reminded the public to eat healthy food and observe minimum proper health protocols during the Christmas season to help the body against the disease.

The health department released the latest COVID-19 numbers in the Philippines just as the United Kingdom rolled out its vaccination efforts.

On Tuesday, Britain began the biggest vaccination program in the country’s history, with a 90-year-old grandmother becoming the first person to receive the COVID vaccine produced by Pfizer-BioNTech. [ac]