The SUN HK : PH posts record 18,333 Covid-19 cases in a day

By The SUN

The record rise in Covid infections was logged as restrictions were relaxed in Metro Manila (File)

The Philippines reported 18,332 new coronavirus cases today, Aug 23, the highest number reported since the first coronavirus case was detected in the country in January last year.

The new cases took the Philippines’ total tally to 1,857,646, according to Department of Health figures.

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Of these, 130,350 cases or 7% of the total, are active, meaning the patients are receiving treatment.

The record number was posted as the national capital region, where the highest number of positive cases have been reported, moved to less stringent anti-Covid restrictions under the modified enhanced community quarantine.

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Researchers said the implementation of stricter regulations for the past two weeks slowed down Covid-19 infections in Metro Manila, but efforts should be sustained in the next four weeks to build on the gain.

Also today, the DOH reported 151 new deaths from the disease, raising the toll to 31,961.

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A total of 13,794 patients recovered from the disease, pushing the total recoveries to 1,695,335.

Despite the surge in cases, nearly all involve patients who are either asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms, according to Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega.

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“We’re seeing roughly about almost 98 percent mild, moderate and asymptomatics for these Covid cases,” said Vega.

About 1.86 percent of the cases are said to be severe or critical.

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“This is kinda different from what we saw in April and last year when it was hovering about three percent for the severe and the critical,” he said.

Despite this, the bed capacity at intensive care units of hospitals across Metro Manila is said to be at a critical or high-risk level of 73%.

Filipinos crammed a Manila mall to get vaccinated before the lockdown (Interaksyon photo)

Vega encouraged more Filipinos to get vaccinated, saying this would prevent hospitalizations and severe cases.

As at Aug 22, the Philippines has reportedly vaccinated 13.13 million people, or 18.5 percent of the 70.85 million adult individuals qualified to take jabs.

About 17.26 million others have received their first dose, or 24.36 percent of those qualified.

Experts say a place should have a vaccination rate of at least 70% to provide herd immunity to its population.

Earlier today, the DOH also reported signs of silent community transmissions of the Delta variant in Metro Manila and the neighboring region of Calabarzon, meaning there is a clustering of unlinked cases in both places.

A total of 446 new Delta cases were reported today, bringing the country’s total tally to 1,273.

However, there are fears that the actual number may be far higher, as the Philippine Genome Center is able to handle only a small number of the positive cases.

Of the new cases, 442 are local transmissions, 14 involved returning overseas Filipinos, while 10 are still being verified.

Among the new Covid-19 patients is Armed Forces chief of staff, Lt Gen Jose Faustino Jr, who confirmed today that he tested positive for Covid-19. He is fully vaccinated. ela.

Faustino said he was in high spirits and continued to do his job even while quarantined.

Bello also got Covid-19 but is said to be asymptomatic

His infection comes a week after Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III announced he was tested positive on Aug 14 for the virus in his home in Ilagan, Isabela.

A statement later issued by the Department of Labor and Employment said Bello was asymptomatic and remained in top health. He continued doing his job while in quarantine.