DOH reports 168 new Covid-19 cases; fatality rate steady at 1.6%

The Department of Health (DOH) recorded 168 new Covid-19 cases on Sept. 21, bringing the total number of Covid-19 cases in the country to 4,113,222.

Meanwhile, the DOH reported no additional COVID-19-related fatalities, maintaining the fatality rate at 1.6 percent.

Based on the data, the country currently has 2,838 active Covid-19 cases.

The DOH Covid-19 Tracker revealed 101 new recoveries, representing a 98.3 percent recovery rate, with a total of 4,043,689 people surviving the virus.

Concerning the availability of intensive care unit (ICU) beds designated for Covid-19 patients, the DOH reported that 215 beds, or 10.74 percent, of the 2,001 available ICU beds are currently occupied.

Similarly, non-ICU Covid-19 beds have been frequently utilized, with 2,860, or 15.01 percent, of the 19,056 available beds in use, while mechanical ventilators, numbering 2,110, have 102 currently in use by Covid-19 patients.

Related to this, DOH cautioned the public not to become complacent in the face of the ongoing Covid-19 threat.

DOH also 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 health department stressed that vigilance and strict safety measures are required to combat the spread of Covid-19 in the country. (Zekinah Elize Espina)