Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 18) — The Philippines recorded 2,725 new COVID-19 cases from Dec. 12 to Dec. 18, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Monday.
In its weekly bulletin, the DOH said the daily average number of cases was 389, which was 50% higher than the cases logged from Dec. 5 to Dec. 11.
There were 16 cases tagged as severe and critical conditions among the recorded new infections, the agency said.
Health officials also verified 16 COVID-19-related deaths during the past week, 13 of which occurred from Dec. 5 to Dec. 18.
The DOH said 211 severe and critical cases were admitted in hospitals, representing 8.8% of the total COVID-19 admissions in the country.
It said 12.9% of the 1,101 ICU beds for COVID-19 patients were utilized, while 18.3% of the 10,045 non-ICU beds were occupied.
As of Dec. 15, the country’s total number of COVID-19 cases stood at 4,128,961. Of the number, 4,334 were active cases.
According to the health department, 78.4 million people in the country have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Around 23.8 million of them have received booster doses.
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, head of the Senate health committee, previously said he is considering revisiting the country’s health protocols amid the increase in COVID-19 cases and influenza-like illnesses.
The Philippine General Hospital on Dec. 13 announced the return of mandatory wearing of face masks in its vicinity.
