THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) reported 630 coronavirus infections involving a more contagious Delta variant on Monday, bringing the total to 6,612.
The new cases accounted for 95% of 666 samples collected in March, September, October and November and sequenced on Nov. 12, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire told an online news briefing.
There were now 3,129 cases of the Alpha variant first detected in the United Kingdom and 3,577 cases of the Beta variant first found in South Africa, she said.
DoH reported 1,547 coronavirus infections on Monday, bringing the total to 2.82 million.
The death toll rose to 45,709 after 128 more patients died, while recoveries increased by 2,601 to 2.75 million, it said in a bulletin.
There were 27,025 active cases, 61% of which were mild, 5.9% did not show symptoms, 10.8% were severe, 17.59% were moderate and 4.6% were critical.
The agency said 16 duplicates had been removed from the tally, 12 of which were tagged as recoveries, while 109 recoveries were relisted as deaths. Three laboratories failed to submit data on Nov. 13.
It said 35% of intensive care units in the Philippines were occupied, while the rate for Metro Manila was 30%.
Ms. Vergeire said the capital region might soon be placed under Alert Level 1 from the second alert level now.
At least half of residents must have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus for an area to be placed under the lowest alert level. At least 70% of senior citizens must have been fully vaccinated as well.
The government on Sept. 16 started enforcing granular lockdowns with five alert levels in Metro Manila, weeks after the government struggled to contain a fresh surge in infections triggered by the more contagious Delta variant.
Metro Manila, which had an average of 404 daily cases from Nov. 1 to 7, was at low risk from the coronavirus. It has also reached the ideal vaccination rate among seniors and the target population.
The vaccination rate for seriously ill people in the capital region had not reached 70%, Ms. Vergeire said. The Philippines aims to vaccinate at least 50% of its adult population by yearend. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
