FROM 8,560 last Tuesday, new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases jumped to 12,021 yesterday, the fifth highest number of infections in the country since last April, while there were 154 more deaths, according to the Department of Health.
In its latest bulletin, the DOH said only three laboratories failed to submit data to the COVID-19 Document Repository System (CDRS) last August 9.
Last April 10, there were 12,674 new cases reported, behind the highest of 15,310 last April 2. There were 12,576 and 12,225 new cases last April 3 and 9, respectively.
Overall infections in the country rose to 1,688,040 while the toll from the deadly virus jumped to 29,374, just 626 short of the grim mark of 30,000, for a case fatality rate of 1.764.
Active cases also rose to 81,399 from 79,016 last Tuesday, with 94.8 percent mild cases, 1.6 percent severe cases, 1.5 percent asymptomatic cases, 1.1 percent moderate cases, and 1 percent critical cases.
The DOH also reported 9,591 more recoveries, raising the number of survivors to 1,577,267.
Eighteen COVID-19 vaccinators from Tanza, Cavite recently tested positive for the deadly disease, leading to the suspension of inoculation in the town for three days.
John Sinariz, administrator of the Tanza municipal government, said the 18 may have contracted the virus in vaccination centers based on the assessment of the town’s health officer.
Sinariz said the 18 are asymptomatic and are currently confined in isolation facilities. He said contact tracing has also started.
Health workers who tested negative in recent tests will resume the town’s vaccination drive, according to Sinariz.
Sinariz said the town has recorded a total of about 4,000 COVID-19 cases, with 400 active cases. He added the town’s three isolation centers, which have 120 beds, currently has 112 patients.
A lieutenant colonel assigned in Oriental Mindoro has died of COVID-19, bringing to 88 the number of PNP personnel who have succumbed to the deadly virus.
The 48-year-old fatality was assigned with the Regional Intelligence Unit of the Mimaropa Regional Police Office based in Camp Efigenio Navarro in Calapan City.
The official, who received his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine last July 23, tested positive last August 7 and died the following day at the MMG Hospital Tawiran in Calapan City.
“I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of our police officer and assures them every assistance they needed,” said PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar.
The PNP also reported 114 new infections in the police force, bringing to 31,799 the police personnel who have contracted the disease, with 29,899 having recovered and 1,812 still active cases. — With Victor Reyes
