DOH logs only 2,303 new COVID cases amid low testing

FILE PHOTO: A computer image created by Nexu Science Communication together with Trinity College in Dublin, shows a model structurally representative of a betacoronavirus which is the type of virus linked to COVID-19, shared with Reuters on February 18, 2020. NEXU Science Communication/via REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) logged only 2,303 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, placing the country’s active cases at 40,786.

The last time the country had only over 2,000 new COVID was on March 10, when the DOH recorded 2,886 cases. However, based on the health agency’s bulletin, 6.8 percent of only 29,679 individuals who went through testing were found positive for coronavirus on Sunday.

The DOH said 4,677 more patients have recovered from the disease but 128 more have died.

Overall, there are now 2,792,656 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country. Of this number, 2,708,466 have already recovered while 43,404 are listed as fatalities.

Of the 40,786 active cases, 71.2 percent are mild, 5.1 percent are asymptomatic, 3.2 percent are critical, 7.5 percent are severe, and 13.02 percent are moderate cases.

According to DOH, 46 percent of ICU beds, 34 percent of isolation beds, 30 percent of ward beds, and 32 percent of ventilators are currently being utilized.

The country’s COVID-19 cases continue to decline but at a slower rate as compared to previous weeks, according to Dr. Alethea De Guzman, OIC Director of the DOH Epidemiology Bureau.

She said the country had an average of 4,183 daily new cases from October 26 to November 1, 14 percent lower than the 4,886 average cases from October 19 to 25. The 4,886 average cases, however, were 35 percent lower than the 7,529 daily cases from October 12 to 18.

According to her, the country’s active COVID-19 cases may reach up to 52,000 by December 15 if there will be increased mobility, decreased adherence to health protocols, and the slower interval between case detection and isolation.

She added that if the current mobility level and the interval between detection to isolation is maintained, and the public continues to follow health protocols, the country may only have around 2,100 active cases by the said date.

JPV