THE Department of Health (DOH) logged 1,623 new COVID-19 infections today, almost double from yesterday’s 889 count, according to the DOH COVID-19 Case Bulletin issued today, December 30, 2021.
Just like yesterday, the number today is the highest recorded by the DOH in more than a month.
With this, the total number of COVID-19 infections in the country is now at 2,841,260 cases.
Active cases, on the other hand, moved to an 11,772 count today, higher than yesterday’s 10,418 cases. Active cases are patients undergoing treatment in government hospitals and temporary quarantine facilities.
Recoveries from COVID-19 today, meanwhile, went up to 256 cases from yesterday’s 214 count. Overall, COVID-19 recoveries in the country have reached a total of 2,778,115 cases.
As for COVID-19 fatalities, it went up to 133 from yesterday’s 28 to bring the total COVID-19 deaths to 51,373.
Positivity rate today, meanwhile, rose to 6.6 percent from yesterday’s 4.5 percent while 30,933 people were tested.
However, 53.6 percent of the cases were mild and asymptomatic, the DOH bulletin noted.
A total of 10 duplicates were removed from the total case count, with six recoveries while one is a death.
Also, about 143 cases were found to have tested negative and have been removed from the total case count. Of the total 143 cases, 140 were tagged as recoveries.
However, 126 cases tagged earlier as recoveries were reclassified as deaths upon final validation.
There were two laboratories that did not operate on December 28, 2021. There were also three laboratories that failed to submit data to the COVID-19 Document Repository System (CDRS). Based on data in the last 14 days, the five non-reporting laboratories contribute, on average, 0.1 percent of samples tested and 0.0 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.