The Philippines hit its biggest single-day increase of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 17,231 new cases on Friday, Aug. 20.
The number surpassed the previous high of 15,310 on April 2, 2021— wherein the country was also experiencing a surge in cases at that time.
The country’s running case tally is now at 1,807,800, of which, 6.8 percent or 123,251 are active cases or those who are still ill, the DOH said in its latest case bulletin.
Of active cases, 94.1 percent are experiencing mild symptoms, 3.2 percent are without symptoms, 0.7 percent are critical, 1.2 percent are severe, and 0.86 percent are in moderate condition.
The death toll also jumped to 31,198—representing 1.73 percent of the COVID-19 case total — after 317 more people died.
Meanwhile, the recovery tally increased by 5,595 to 1,653,351–which is equivalent to 91.5 percent of the case tally.
The DOH urged the public to immediately self-isolate if they start to experience symptoms of COVID-19.
“We commonly observe transmission in households. Hence, we continuously remind our kababayan to ensure safety even in our homes, immediately isolate and seek medical attention, and coordinate with BHERTs (Barangay Health Emergency Response Team) to facilitate facility isolation and testing. These measures will help cut transmission even in households,” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.
Vergeire emphasized that any age group can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.
“COVID-19 may be milder in young children than in adults but parents and caregivers should understand that children can be infected with the coronavirus, can develop complications requiring hospitalizations, and can transmit the virus to others,” she said.
Vergeire said that children can also develop serious lung infection and become “very sick with COVID-19 and deaths have occurred.”
“While we do not vaccinate our children yet, it is important to follow the minimum public health standards and immediately get vaccinated as these strategies also protect our children at home,” she said.
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