
The country's daily number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases climbed back to over 1,000 on Thursday, Dec. 30.
The Department of Health (DOH) said it detected 1,623 new infections. The last time that the Philippines recorded over a thousand cases was on Nov. 23 with 1,153 cases.
“With the newly-reported cases doubling the past two days, the DOH enjoins everyone to do what is within our power to avoid making year 2022 another version of 2020. Let us act with utmost vigilance as if the highly transmissible Omicron variant is already here,” the DOH said.
The new infections pushed the cumulative total to 2,841,260, of which, 0.4 percent or 11,772 are active, the DOH said.
Majority or 5,737 of active patients were experiencing mild symptoms, 3,351 were in moderate condition, 1,771 were severely sick, 577 were asymptomatic, and 372 were in critical condition.
Also, the death toll rose to 51,373 with 133 more patients who succumbed to the illness.
The recovery count climbed to 2,778,115 after 256 more patients survived.
“The DOH calls on everyone, whether vaccinated or boosted, to reassess their plans for New Year celebration. Safest option will be to stay in your family bubble and avoid gathering outside of your bubble. If you will still prefer to meet, then don’t eat together so you can safely keep your masks on while enjoying the company of family and friends outside of your bubble,” the Health department reminded.
“Finally, do not discount any mild symptoms. Immediately isolate, get tested and stay in isolation for 10 days. Notify your close contacts and ask them to quarantine for seven days if fully vaccinated or 14 days if not vaccinated,” it added.