The Philippines’ new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections soared to 17,220 on Thursday, Jan. 6, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.

This new figure was the highest single-day tally since Sept. 27, 2021 with 18,449 cases at that time.

Based on the latest case update, these new cases pushed the cumulative count to 2,888,917, of which, 56,561 are still being treated.

Of the active cases, 1,837 patients showed no symptoms, while 49,988 have mild symptoms; 2,954 were in moderate condition; 1,470 have severe symptoms; and 312 were in critical condition.

Metro Manila remained as the top region with the most number of new cases in the “recent two weeks.” It was followed by Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) and Central Luzon, the DOH said.

Out of the 59,847 COVID-19 tests performed on Jan. 4, the DOH noted that 36.9 percent yielded a positive result.

It was also noted that 81 more fatalities were confirmed, bringing the death count to 51,743 or 1.79 percent of the total case count.

However, 616 more patients recovered. This figure caused the recovery count to jump to 2,780,613 --representing 96.3 percent of the overall tally of cases.

Workplaces

Employers were reminded by different government agencies to strictly follow the safety protocols inside their establishments amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

“ would like to remind employers in both the private and public sectors to firmly enforce minimum public health standards,” said the DOH, Labor and Employment, and Trade and Industry departments in a joint advisory.

“Critical especially during this period of exponential increase in cases is to encourage work-from-home setup or promote alternative work arrangements, whenever possible,” they added.

For those working on-site, these government agencies reminded employers to assign health safety officers to remind employees to follow the minimum public health standards as well as to monitor and track symptoms.

Employers should also ensure proper ventilation. “Avoid closed spaces. Close down pantries or areas where people can meet up maskless,” the agencies said.

“Facilitate isolation for symptomatic (for 10 days) or quarantine for close contacts (14 days non-vaccinated, seven days vaccinated) and testing of symptomatic employees. Provide adequate assistance for individuals who are undergoing quarantine and isolation (support for medicine, food, and others),” they said.

“All employers are strongly encouraged to coordinate with the local government unit's epidemiological and surveillance unit for specific response and reporting guidance,” they added.