The Department of Health (DOH) logged 136 new Covid-19 cases on Sept. 18, bringing the total number of Covid-19 cases in the country to 4,112,799.

Meanwhile, DOH said there were no new Covid-19-related deaths recorded, maintaining the fatality rate at 1.6 percent.
Based on the data, the country currently has 2,775 active Covid-19 cases.
The DOH Covid-19 Tracker revealed 440 new recoveries, accounting for a 98.3 percent recovery rate, with a total of 4,043,339 individuals having overcome the virus.
Regarding the availability of intensive care unit (ICU) beds designated for Covid-19 patients, the DOH reported that 230 beds, or 11.39 percent, of the 2,020 available ICU beds are currently occupied.
Similarly, non-ICU Covid-19 beds have been frequently utilized, accounting for 2,678, or 14.02 percent, of the 19,107 available beds, while mechanical ventilators, numbering 2,144, have 104 currently in use by Covid patients.
The DOH cautioned the public not to become complacent in the face of the ongoing Covid-19 threat.
It emphasized the importance of adhering to public health standards, such as wearing masks, seeking well-ventilated areas, and being isolated immediately if symptomatic under Alert Level 1.
The DOH said vigilance and strict safety measures are required to combat the spread of Covid-19 in the Philippines. (Zekinah Elize Espina)