COVID-19 News: SARS-CoV-2 Infections Rise By 36 Percent In Philippines With 1,821 New Cases In Last 7 Days Ending 11th Dec. Today Saw 183 New Cases
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 12, 2023 1 year, 1 week, 3 days, 13 hours, 16 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: In a concerning turn of events, COVID-19 infections in the Philippines have witnessed a notable surge, escalating by 36 percent over the last week. The Department of Health (DOH) reported a staggering 1,821 new cases, raising the nation's total active cases to 3,876. This surge was documented from December 5 to 11, indicating a significant increase compared to the 1,340 cases reported in the preceding week.
https://doh.gov.ph/covid19tracker
The daily average for new cases during this period stood at 260, as health authorities grapple with the evolving situation.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations And ICU Admissions Increasing
Disturbingly, the DOH revealed that, as of December 10, 228 patients with severe and critical COVID-19 conditions were admitted to hospitals across the country. Alarming occupancy rates for Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and non-ICU COVID beds were noted at 13.6 percent and 16.5 percent, respectively.
Health Officials Urge Vigilance And Masking
This surge in cases prompted the DOH to emphasize the importance of adhering to health measures, urging the public to remain vigilant, wear masks, and, crucially, get vaccinated. Acknowledging the ongoing threat, the authorities disclosed that, in total, at least 78 million individuals in the Philippines have received their primary COVID-19 vaccinations. Furthermore, 23 million individuals have received booster shots to enhance their immunity against the virus.
Underscoring the significance of vaccinating vulnerable populations, the DOH highlighted that 7.1 million elderly individuals in the country have successfully completed their primary coronavirus vaccination regimen. However, the rising number of cases underscores the need for continued vigilance and adherence to safety protocols.
COVID-19 Cases In The Last 24 Hours
The gravity of the situation was further underscored as the Philippines recorded an additional 183 new COVID-19 cases today according to local
COVID-19 News coverages, bringing the cumulative tally since the start of the pandemic to 4,127,769. This marks the eighth consecutive day of reporting at least 180 new cases, reflecting a sustained increase in infections.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/891136/doh-logs-183-new-covid-19-cases/story/
The active cases, though showing a slight decrease of 63, remained elevated at 3,813, continuing a trend of more than 3,000 active cases for the 19th consecutive reporting day.
On a positive note, recoveries rose by 246 cases, reaching a total of 4,057,177, while the death toll remained at 66,779. Despite these encouraging signs, the region with the most new COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days was the National Capital Region, recording 1,210 cases, followed by Calabarzon with 457, Western Visayas with 323, Central Luzon with 217, and
Central Visayas with 125.
Local Health Officials On Alert
Analyzing the data, health authorities noted that the 36% increase in the daily average of cases from the previous week signifies a concerning trajectory for the pandemic in the country. Thirteen of the newly reported cases were identified as severe and critical, contributing to the 9.6% of the total COVID-19 admissions with severe conditions.
The DOH provided additional insights into the healthcare system's capacity to handle the surge, reporting that only 13.6% of the 1,298 beds in intensive care units were in use, and 16.5% of the 11,111 non-ICU beds were occupied. While these figures suggest a certain level of resilience in the healthcare infrastructure, the increase in severe cases emphasizes the need for sustained efforts to mitigate the impact of the virus.
As the country grapples with this surge, the DOH acknowledged the proactive vaccination efforts but stressed the importance of continued vaccination drives, especially for booster shots. Of the over 78 million Filipinos fully vaccinated, only 23.8 million have received booster shots. Health authorities are keenly monitoring the situation, with the rise in COVID-19 infections coinciding with a slowdown in cases of influenza-like illnesses (ILI). The DOH anticipates a continued decline in ILI cases in the coming weeks but warns of a potential increase by January.
In conclusion, the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the Philippines underscores the ongoing challenges in managing the pandemic. Health authorities are intensifying efforts to contain the spread, emphasizing the critical role of vaccination, adherence to safety measures, and continued monitoring of the situation as the country navigates through this latest wave of infections.
Thailand Medical News would like to add that in all our coverages with regards to the COVID-19 situation in various countries, all reported statistics from official sources are not the least reliable as COVID-19 testing in almost all countries are down and, in many cases, people with mild symptoms are not even bothering to get tested. Hence realistically, the actual figures could be many folds over!
For the latest
COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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