ALTHOUGH five laboratories failed to submit data, new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases still jumped to 16,313 yesterday from 13,573 last Wednesday while 236 more patients succumbed to the deadly virus, according to the Department of Health.
In its latest bulletin, the DOH said the number of infections in the country rose to 1,899,200, just 100,800 short of the grim mark of two million, while the toll climbed to 32,728 for a case fatality rate of 1.72.
Active cases also rose to 131,921 from 125,378 last Wednesday, with 96.1 percent mild cases, 1.2 percent severe cases, 1.1 percent asymptomatic cases, 1 percent moderate cases, and 0.6 percent critical cases. Active cases account for 6.9 percent of infections in the country.
The DOH also reported 9,659 more recoveries, raising the number of survivors to 1,734,551. This means that 91.3 percent of COVID patients have recovered.
A policeman from the PNP National Support Unit is the 102nd fatality in the police force due to the pandemic, according to PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.
Eleazar said the 34-year-old policeman, a staff sergeant, experienced mild symptoms last Aug. 18 and had himself tested, which confirmed he had contracted the virus.
From a quarantine facility, the cop was transferred to a hospital on Aug. 20 when he complained of difficulty in breathing.
He was declared dead at around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Eleazar expressed his condolences to the family of the policeman and promised them assistance.
The PNP has recorded 136 new COVID-19 cases among its personnel, bringing to 33,826 the total infections in the police force — 1,750 active cases and 31,974 having recovered.
At least 116 personnel of the Office of Civil Defense central office in Camp Aguinaldo have tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the closure of the office yesterday up to Monday. The OCD is the operating arm of the NDRRMC. — With Victor Reyes
