NEW coronavirus cases dipped to 6,879 yesterday from a four-day average of 8,000-plus but this can be attributed to the failure of nine laboratories to submit data to the COVID-19 Document Repository System (CDRS) last August 1.
In its latest bulletin, the Department of Health said the total number of infections in the country rose to 1,612,541 while the toll climbed to 28,141, counting 48 more patients who succumbed to the deadly virus, for a case fatality rate of 1.75.
Active cases rose to 63,137 from 62,615 last Monday, with 94 percent mild cases, 2.1 percent severe cases, 1.4 percent moderate cases, 1.3 percent asymptomatic cases, and 1.2 percent critical cases.
The DOH also reported 6,337 more recoveries as the number of survivors climbed to 1,521,263. This means that 94.3 percent of COVID patients have recovered.
A 51-year-old policeman assigned in Cebu City died of COVID-19, bringing to 85 the total police personnel who have succumbed to the deadly virus, according to PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar.
The fatality, with a rank of executive master sergeant, experienced mild symptoms last July 30 and underwent RT-PCR test the following day, with the result showing he was infected.
Last Aug. 1, he was declared dead due to severe acute respiratory illness secondary to COVID-19.
Eleazar expressed his condolences to the family of the policeman, who he said has received the first dose of COVID vaccine.
“This serves as a reminder to our colleagues in the PNP that we need to be extra careful even if we are vaccinated,” he said. “Wear facemask, face shield, wash hands and most of all clean your surroundings.”
A total of 49,087 of the 220,000 police personnel are now fully vaccinated while 49,117 others have received the first dose.
The PNP also reported 110 new COVID cases in the police ranks, bringing to 30,745 the total number of cases in the police force, with 29,383 having recovered and 1,277 still active cases. — With Victor Reyes
