All-time high 10,016 new COVID-19 cases reported

New COVID-19 cases reach 10,016 as President Duterte welcomes a million doses of Sinovac vaccines today

MANILA – As the country rolls out its vaccines for frontline medical workers, the Department of Health (DOH) today said 10,016 COVID-19 positive cases have been reported for a total of 731,894 cases since the pandemic was declared over a year ago.

Three laboratories failed to submit their data on time. The total number of active cases in the country rose to 115,495,

There were 78 recoveries for a total of 603,213 today and 16 new fatalities for a total of 13,186. The DOH said 14 duplicates were removed from the total case count as 11 cases earlier reported as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after the latest validation.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, in his regular midday briefing at Malacañang today said increase of cases could be attributed to the variants discovered by health authorities through the UP-based Philippine Genome Center.

He added a million doses of Sinovac vaccines will arrive today with no less than President Rodrigo Duterte attending the simple rites at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 5:00 P.M.

President Duterte will view the arrival of the Philippine Air Lines flight from Beijing, inspect the crate and will place the “Resbakuna” sticker. There will be simultaneous airing of the radio/television advertisement promoting the government’s vaccination program.

President Duterte will take part in the ceremonial presentation of the vaccine.

“The one million doses cost P700 million,” Secretary Roque said. He added 656,331 frontline health workers have been vaccinated so far. The numbers represent 52.4% of the total health workers across the country. They received their jabs at 2,494 sites across the country. (Melo M. Acuña)