The Philippines has recorded an additional 2,459 Covid-19 cases on Friday, Oct. 14.
Latest data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed that active cases in the country increased to 26,399.
The new cases brought the country's cumulative tally of cases to 3,978,354 including 3,888,516 recoveries and 63,439 deaths.
Metro Manila is still leading the list of regions with the most number of cases in the past 14 days with 11,063, followed by Calabarzon with 5,397, Central Luzon with 2,864, Davao region with 1,446, and Western Visayas with 1,089
Eligible Filipinos were once again reminded by the DOH of the importance of getting boosted against the Covid-19 virus as this can help limit the virus’ mutations and transmission.
Booster shots are also important amid the emerging and re-emerging variants and sub-variants of Covid-19 virus which are reported to have higher immune-evasive characteristics, the DOH said.
“Completing our booster doses and adhering to our health protocols will prevent severe and critical cases, and protect our hospitals and healthcare facilities from getting overwhelmed,” the DOH said.
“Hence, we continue to encourage everyone to get boosted against Covid-19 and arm ourselves with the proper knowledge and ability to assess our individual risk and consequently build our individual defenses by employing the appropriate layers of protection–such as masking, physical distancing, sanitation, and ventilation — as needed,” it added.
Meanwhile, the DOH said that it would wait for the guidance of its “global partners” after some health experts believe that the Covid-19 pandemic is already nearing the endemic phase.
“The Department of Health reiterates that as we learn to live with the virus, we must continue to protect ourselves against the severe form of Covid-19,” it said.
“The DOH will continue to observe the situation locally and internationally, and wait on our global health partners such as the World Health Organization to declare that the state of Public Health Emergency is over,” it added.