Philippines: record-high 37,207 COVID cases, 81 deaths reported Friday

Manila: The Philippines logged an unprecedented 37,207 new COVID-19 cases on Friday (January 14, 2022), the highest daily tally so far since the pandemic’s start, bringing the total cases to 3,129,512 so far.

There were 81 new COVID deaths reported on Friday, bringing the total death toll to 52,815.

The previous highest daily case count reported was 34,021 on Thursday, January 13. Based on the Department of Health (DOH)’s latest bulletin, the new cases brought the country's active case count to 265,509. The health agency reported that 98.2% are mild and asymptomatic.

There were 8,325 asymptomatic cases, 252,502 are mild; 2,913 moderate cases; and 1,469 severe — while 300 are in critical condition. The rising number of infections risked overwhelming the healthcare system, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told ANC news channel, calling on symptomatic people to immediately isolate and get tested.

Manila movement restrictions

Meanwhile, movement restrictions will stay in place in Manila from January 16 to 31 as daily COVID-19 infections and the percentage of positive tests hit record highs.

Metro Manila will remain under Alert Level 3, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said in a Friday briefing.

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday suspended classes in Metro Manila public schools from January 15 to 22 amid the teachers’ request for a "health break" following the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the region.

In a memorandum addressed to the schools division superintendents of NCR, DepEd said classes shall be suspended staring January 15 and shall resume on January 24.

50% capacity for outdoor restaurants

Outdoor restaurants can operate at 50% capacity, while cinemas, gyms and other indoor businesses are limited to 30% capacity. The post-holiday spike in infections has led to tighter limits on businesses in the capital, disrupted airlines and banks, and shortened stock trading.

Hospital beds in the capital are again filling up, with the unvaccinated accounting for most severe and critical cases, prompting the government to restrict movement.

The previous highest daily case count reported was 34,021 on Thursday, January 13. Based on the Department of Health (DOH)’s latest bulletin, the new cases brought the country's active case count to 265,509.

The previous highest daily case count reported was 34,021 on Thursday, January 13. Based on the Department of Health (DOH)’s latest bulletin, the new cases brought the country's active case count to 265,509. The health agency reported that 98.2% are mild and asymptomatic. There were 8,325 asymptomatic cases, 252,502 are mild; 2,913 moderate cases; and 1,469 severe — while 300 are in critical condition. The rising number of infections risked overwhelming the healthcare system, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told ANC news channel, calling on symptomatic people to immediately isolate and get tested.