The Department of Health (DOH) recorded on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 5,434 additional coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.
New cases last reached the 5,000 mark on Oct. 24, 2021 at 5,279. Tuesday's case bulletin, brings the total number of COVID-19 cases since the onset of the pandemic to 2,861,119.
Active cases according to DOH, stood at 29,809. Of this, 24,026 are mild, 3,020 are moderate, 1,546 are severe, 889 are asymptomatic while 328 are in critical condition.
DOH also recorded 611 new recoveries bringing the total number to 2,779,706 or 97.2 percent of the total number while 18 have died bringing the death toll to 51,604 or 1.80 percent of the total number of cases.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reminded the public to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and that vaccines work.
"Looking at our mortality data, death shows a continuous decline following its peak in September. This coincides very well with our progress in vaccination," she said.
She also shared that according to DOH's data, it has continuously shown that the majority of those in the ICU or needing breathing assistance are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. DOH reiterated that COVID-19 vaccines with emergency use authority in the Philippines are safe, effective and free.
The public is also reminded to take action at the very first sign of mild symptoms, as this may still be a cause for transmission and that more transmission means more mutation.
"Let us all do the right test at the right time and isolate proactively. We like to remind all of our citizens that if you experience symptoms please isolate at once and have yourself tested," Vergeire said.
"There are many testing centers in the country and the Department of Health is ready to provide testing kits to the health facilities through the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and numerous local government units," she added.