PH logs record-high 9,838 new COVID-19 cases

COVID-19 infections recorded another record-high in the country after the Department of Health (DOH) announced 9,838 new COVID-19 cases of the virus this Friday.

Seven more laboratories failed to comply with the submission of their data, according to the DOH.

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Due to the addition of new cases, the total number of Filipinos affected by COVID-19 in the Philippines has reached 702,856.

Of the aforementioned number, 109,018 are active cases or patients who continue to be treated and recover.

According to the DOH, 95.1% of active cases were “mild,” 3% were “asymptomatic,” 0.8% were “severe,” and 0.7% were “in critical condition.”

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Meanwhile, 580,689 recovered after an additional 663 patients recovered from the disease.

But 54 patients added to the number of deaths that now stands at 13,149.

The OCTA Research group estimates that there could be as many as 11,000 new daily COVID-19 cases by the end of March.

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PH logs record-high 9,838 new COVID-19 cases

The OCTA Research team also said the Philippines could record up to 20,000 new COVID-19 cases daily by April if the new surge of infections would not be controlled.

However, the projection could be prevented if the national and local  would continue to implement strict health protocols, localized lockdowns, and .

“Any decrease in mobility will definitely help… We are 100% certain that a stricter lockdown will definitely control the spread of the pandemic much quicker,” David said.

However, the OCTA Research member acknowledged that not all Filipinos could stay at home because they need to work.

“We’re not necessarily advocating for a one-week strict lockdown… Based on scientific fact, yes, this would definitely have a bigger impact than the current protocols that are being implemented,” he said.

“We are calling for citizens to have a personal enhanced . We don’t have to have it done by the national or the local government. We can do it by ourselves. This is not for everyone, of ,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health () said Thursday that the country’s stock of  remdesivir and tocilizumab used for COVID-19 patients is running low due to the continuous increase of cases.

DOH, however, promised P5 million additional funding for hospitals to restock the said COVID-19 medicine supply.