By Alec Go
The Philippines recorded an additional 33,169 COVID-19 cases on Monday (Jan. 10), the first time reported cases reached and surpassed 30,000 in a single day.
The new cases bring the total active case count to 157,526 and total confirmed cases to 2,998,530 since the beginning of the pandemic.
A total of 145 deaths and 3,725 recoveries were also reported, bringing the death toll and recoveries tally to 52,923 and 2,788,711, respectively.
Based on the Department of Health’s (DOH) data, 46% of the 73,234 tested on Jan. 8 turned out positive for the disease.
To date, the national intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy has reached 38, and the National Capital Region’s utilization for ICU rose to 52%. Of the total active cases, 1,461 are severe and 301 are critical.
Both isolation and ward beds occupancy is at 41% at the national level, while the NCR is at 54% and 67%.
Testing, isolation
In the Jan. 10 Laging Handa briefing, Presidential Adviser for COVID-19 response Vince Dizon said the highest testing output for the country is at around 81,000 on Jan. 7.
The official said the longer turnaround time of COVID-19 tests is due to the volume of individuals that get tested. He, however, advised those experiencing symptoms to immediately isolate themselves.
Meanwhile, he said the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has approved the shortened isolation and quarantine days among several healthcare workers as more health workers test positive for the disease.
“Dati po sampung araw, at pitong araw; ngayon po kung ikaw ay positibo at ikaw ay bakunado at wala namang sintomas, limang araw lang, pagkatapos ng limang araw ay ikaw ay makakabalik na sa trabaho,” he said.
“Para naman po doon sa mga nagiging close contact, hindi na po kailangang mag-isolate kung walang sintomas na nararamdaman,” he added. – bny
