Amid the presence of the Omicron coronavirus variant, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 237 new COVID-19 cases nationwide on Wednesday, Dec. 15.

Based on the latest case bulletin, there are 10,193 cases that remain active or those who are still sick out of 2,836,915 confirmed infections since the pandemic hit the Philippines last year.

Of the active cases, 567 patients are asymptomatic, 3,876 are experiencing mild symptoms, 3,492 are in moderate condition, 1,867 are severely ill, and 391 are in critical state.

The DOH also reported 565 more recoveries and 100 new fatalities. The total number of those who survived stood at 2,776,273 while the death toll increased to 50,449.

On Wednesday, the DOH also confirmed the country’s first two cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant. The two cases were travelers who recently arrived in the Philippines from Japan and Nigeria.

“Pinapaalalahanan ang lahat na huwag maging kampante sa banta ng COVID-19. Bagkus, dapat natin ipagpatuloy ang tamang pagsunod sa minimum public health standards at laging magsuot ng facemask na may face shield, mag physical distancing, at maghugas ng kamay (Everyone is reminded not to be complacent amid the threat of COVID-19. Instead, we must continue to adhere to the minimum public health standards and always wear a facemask with a face shield, do physical distancing, and wash our hands),” the DOH said.

“Agad rin na magpabakuna upang makakuha ng dagdag na proteksyon laban sa COVID-19 (Also, get vaccinated immediately to get an added layer of protection against COVID-19),” it added.

Alert Level 2

The Malacanang said that all areas in the Philippines will remain under Alert Level 2 until the end of this year.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said it is best to retain the current alert level amid the threat of the Omicron variant.

“We are really seeing that cases are declining and we are really seeing that local governments had been able to control transmission of COVID in their area, but for now even if we are on alert level 2 in all of the regions of the country and areas, we are still very hesitant to give that kind of easing of restriction into Alert Level 1 because of the threat of the Omicron variant,” she said in an interview on CNN Philippines on Wednesday.

“For now, we will stay at Alert Level 2 so there will be restrictions and we can still prevent the spread if ever Omicron is here already among our communities,” she added.