260 more coronavirus patients die, says DOH

Test tube of sample, positive for new coronavirus. File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — Another 260 patients suffering from COVID-19 have died, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Friday.

Overall, 44,085 individuals out of the total 2,797,986 confirmed coronavirus cases in the country have succumbed to the disease since last year, according to DOH data. The government said COVID-19 fatality rate in the country stood at 1.58 percent as of November 5.

The DOH data likewise indicated that deaths have declined in October as more individuals get vaccinated against COVID-19. On average, the DOH said, 73 patients died per day in October, which was lower than the 179 average fatalities in September and 174 in August.

READ: DOH notes lower COVID-19 deaths in October

Still, 37,377 individuals nationwide remain sick due to COVID-19. Of this, 69 percent were suffering mild symptoms, 5.4 percent were asymptomatic, 13.94 percent were tagged as moderate cases, 8.2 percent were experiencing severe symptoms, while 3.5 percent were under critical status.

On hospital utilization, the DOH reported Friday that 43 percent of intensive care unit beds, 33 percent of isolation beds, 27 percent of ward beds, and 29 percent of ventilators are currently being used.

The government has also noted that new COVID-19 cases recorded per day are on a decline after reaching as high as more than 20,000 in September. Dr. Alethea De Guzman of the DOH Epidemiology Bureau earlier said that the country may only have around 2,100 active cases by December 15 if the current mobility level and the interval between case detection to isolation is maintained, and the public continues to follow health protocols.

However, she warned that active COVID-19 cases may reach up to 52,000 by the said date if there will be increased mobility, decreased adherence to health protocols, and a slower interval between case detection and isolation.

KGA