17,447 new Philippine COVID-19 cases reported; total exceeds 1.9 million

The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country rose to 1,916,461 on Friday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 17,447 new infections.

This is the second-highest number of infections recorded in one day since the start of the pandemic. An all-time high of 18,332 cases was reported on August 23.

According to the DOH, the new infections brought the country’s active cases to 142,531, also the highest since April 17.

Of these cases, 96.2% are mild, 1.1% are asymptomatic, 1.1% are severe, and 0.6% are in critical condition.

The DOH also announced that total recoveries climbed to 1,741,089 after 6,771 more patients recovered from the illness.

Meanwhile, 113 new fatalities brought the death toll to 32,841.

Only one laboratory failed to submit data on time.

A total of 186 duplicate cases were also removed from the total case count.

“Moreover, 47 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation,” the DOH said.

Based on reports on August 25, the Philippines was also able to test 70,396 individuals, of which 26.1% tested positive for the illness.

The DOH earlier said it had sought additional funds from the Department of Budget and Management to provide the COVID-19 special risk allowance to over 17,000 more health workers. — DVM, GMA News