DOH notes ‘continuous decline’ of COVID deaths, reports 25 new fatalities

This file photo shows a worker in a protective suit, used due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, waits outside the crematorium facility as the cremation process takes some two hours in Manila on April 29, 2020. (Photo by Maria TAN / AFP FILE)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Friday 25 more deaths due to COVID-19 complications as it noted a “continuous decline” in coronavirus fatalities.

According to the DOH, of the 25 new deaths, only five were recorded in December, six in November, seven in October, five in September, and one each in August and in July “due to late encoding of death information to COVIDKaya.”

“This issue is currently being coordinated with the Epidemiology and Surveillance Units to ensure information is up to date,” the DOH said.

In an online media briefing, the DOH also reported that deaths peaked in September with 7,307 total fatalities or an average of 244 deaths per day. This then dropped to 4,835 total deaths or 156 deaths per day in October; 1,163 total or 39 per day in November; and 47 total fatalities or an average of 5 deaths per day from December 1 to 9.

As of Friday, a total of 49,961 patients have succumbed to COVID-19 out of the 2.83 million confirmed cases. The case fatality rate now stands at 1.76 percent.

The Philippines still has 11,905 active COVID-19 cases. Of this number, 757 are asymptomatic, 4,860 are mild, 3,797 are moderate, 2,060 are severe, and 431 are critical cases.

/MUF