THE Department of Health (DOH) today recorded a new low of 168 new COVID-19 infections, lower than yesterday’s 263 count, according to the DOH COVID-19 Case Bulletin dated December 21, 2021.
The low case count for today was due to many laboratories that did not operate, most likely due to the effects of Typhoon Odette.
This brings the total number of COVID-19 infections in the country to 2,837,719 cases.
Active cases, on the other hand, registered a 9,384 count today, still lower than yesterday’s 9,592. Active cases are patients undergoing treatment in government hospitals and temporary quarantine facilities.
Recoveries from COVID-19 today, meanwhile, went down to 372 cases from yesterday’s 390 count. Overall, COVID-19 recoveries in the country have reached a total of 2,777,541 cases.
As for COVID-19 fatalities, it went down to 10 compared to yesterday’s 45 to bring the total COVID-19 deaths to 50,794.
Positivity rate today, meanwhile, was at 0.9 percent based on 22,964 people who were tested.
Around 40.5 percent of the cases were mild and asymptomatic, the DOH bulletin noted.
Also, about 179 cases were found to have tested negative and have been removed from the total case count, where the 179 were also recoveries.
However, six cases tagged earlier as recoveries were reclassified as deaths upon final validation.
There were four laboratories that did not operate on December 19, 2021. There were also 20 laboratories that failed to submit data to the COVID-19 Document Repository System (CDRS). Based on data in the last 14 days, the 24 laboratories contribute, on average, 4.8 percent of samples tested and 4.5 percent of positive individuals.
The agency continues to remind the public not to become complacent and continue to be vigilant against the threat of COVID-19 and make it a habit to follow the minimum public health standards and to always wear face masks, and also face shields whenever necessary, maintain physical distancing and washing of hands. The DOH also reiterates that the safety of the country is everyone’s responsibility, and that by helping each other, the country will overcome this COVID-19 pandemic.