NEW coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases surged to a new record high of 33,169 yesterday, the third straight record-setting day, that pushed the total number of infections in the country to just over a thousand short of the grim three million mark and putting a massive strain on the country’s healthcare system.
In its latest bulletin, the Department of Health said total cases climbed to 2,998,530, counting the erstwhile peaks of 26,458 and 28,707 cases set on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. The DOH said the latest figure does not include data from 10 laboratories.
The DOH also reported 145 more deaths, raising the toll to 52,293 for a case fatality rate of 1.74.
The current positivity rate in the Philippines stood at 46 percent among the 73,234 tested samples on January 8.
Active cases jumped to 157,526 from 128,114 last Sunday, with over 147,900 mild cases followed and more than 4,900 asymptomatic cases.
The DOH also reported 3,725 additional recoveries to bring the number of survivors to 2,788,711. The DOH said the recovery rate stood at 93 percent.
Calls to the One Hospital Command Center has spiked to around 1,000 per day, according to OHCC Operations Manager Dr. Bernadette Velasco, who said the number of calls they have been getting increased sharply at the turn of the year.
“Last year, around December, everything has been calm. We get calls averaging 150 to 200 only. Once we entered 2022, we saw a sudden increase in cases,” said Velasco. “Now, each day, we receive more than 1,000 calls. When January came, there was a sudden increase in cases.”
Unlike in the past, Velasco said the calls they have been getting mostly involve mild and asymptomatic patients.
“Majority of the requests now are mild or asymptomatic cases that are just looking for isolation facilities,” she said, adding they have also been getting requests for assistance in getting tested for COVID-19.
She also said they have also received requests for assistance for some hospitals lacking in manpower.
The OHCC is mandated to facilitate a comprehensive and coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring effective and efficient health facility referral in Metro Manila and nearby areas. The OHCC hotlines are 1555, 02-886-505-00, 0915-777-7777, and 0919-977-3333.
Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo said his antigen test yesterday morning turned out positive but he has so far remained asymptomatic while self-isolating at home.
Baguio Rep. Mark Go also announced that he and his wife have tested positive for the virus and experiencing mild symptoms.
On Saturday, Quezon City 5th District Rep. Alfred Vargas said he was infected by the dreaded virus and remained asymptomatic.
“I had just tested positive for COVID-19, a difficult and worrying reality that tens of thousands of our fellow Filipinos had to face this week,” Vargas said. “We are following all prescribed safety protocols and I continue my work from my isolation station to ensure that our services to our constituents will not be disrupted.”
The PNP’s active COVID-19 cases rose to 1,884 yesterday, from just 28 at the end of 2021.
Data from the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City showed 436 new cases in the police force, pushing the number of personnel who got infected to 43,603, with 41,594 having recovered, 125 dead, and 1,884 still active cases.
PNP chief Dionardo Carlos acknowledged the spike in COVID-19 cases in the police force, saying: “Thankfully, many of the cases among our police personnel developed mild symptoms which will only need home or facility isolation.”
More than 280 personnel of the Philippine National Railways tested positive for the deadly virus in antigen tests, according to Atty. Celeste Lauta, PNR spokesperson and assistant general manager.
Lauta said of the 285 personnel who tested positive, 58 are passenger facing personnel. She said the 285 are now in isolation, waiting for the results of their RT-PCR confirmatory tests.
Active cases in Bacoor City, Cavite rose to 1,076 from just 34 as of last January 30.
In a radio interview, Bacoor City Mayor Lani Revilla said majority of those who are currently infected are on home quarantine because they are only exhibiting mild symptoms.
She said 190 of those found infected are employees of city hall. He said some offices, including the Office of the Business Permits, are undermanned but are still open.
“Our swabbers and personnel of CHO (city health office) were also infected but we will try to keep things in place. The public service of the city hall will continue,” Revilla said.
She said the city will test its barangays officials to ensure they are not spreading the virus. She recently issued an executive order requiring residents who have yet to be vaccinated to stay home amid the surge.
Revilla said she has requested the city council to pass a resolution imposing a liquor ban and curfew, from 10:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., due to the increased cases in the city. — With Wendell Vigilia, Victor Reyes, and Noel Talacay
