PH’s COVID-19 death toll now at 32,492 as 228 more succumb to disease

FILE PHOTO: This undated transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2, also known as novel coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S. NIAID-RML/Handout via REUTERS.

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) reported Wednesday the death of 228 more COVID-19 patients, taking the nationwide coronavirus death toll to 32,492.

This also brings the total deaths reported for August alone to 4,308, based on previous case bulletins of the health agency.

By reporting date, there are 3,074 deaths reported in July, 3,701 deaths in June, and 5,130 deaths in May. The DOH earlier warned of an increase in fatalities due to COVID-19 complications as new cases go beyond 10,000 and after it noted a plateau in the rate of deaths caused by the severe respiratory disease developed from contracting the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Since the pandemic reached the Philippines last year, authorities have already confirmed 1.88 million COVID-19 cases, which include the 125,378 people currently sick of the coronavirus disease.

Of the active cases, those that are at higher risk for death were 1.2 percent for having severe symptoms and 0.6 percent for being in a critical condition. But a majority or 95.9 percent of these active infections are considered mild while 1.3 percent are asymptomatic and 0.94 percent are moderate cases.

Based on data presented by Malacañang on Monday, the intensive care utilization in Metro Manila and the entire Philippines is at 72 percent and 73 percent, respectively.

KGA