Philippines logs 1,783 new COVID-19 cases as total hits 507,717

People wear face masks as they cross Macapagal Blvd. corner EDSA ext in Pasay City on January 18, 2021
The STAR/Michael Varcas

MANILA, Philippines — Coronavirus cases in the Philippines increased to 507,717 Thursday after the Department of Health recorded 1,783 additional infections.

Of the total confirmed cases, 30,126 or 5.9% are active cases.

Recoveries reached 467,475 after 500 more people were cleared of the virus.

Meanwhile, the death toll increased by 74 to 10,116.

Where most cases were reported

  • Quezon City (general community quarantine) – 99
  • Rizal (modified GCQ) – 83
  • City of Manila (GCQ) – 78
  • Bulacan (MGCQ) – 69
  • Cavite (MGCQ) – 66

What’s new today?

  • The Philippines received confirmation of its participation in the COVAX facility, which will enable the early rollout of COVID-19 jabs in the country. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez said the Philippines could receive between 30 and 40 million free vaccines from the COVAX facility.
  • India’s Bharat Biotech submitted an application for the emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine in the Philippines. The pre-evaluation of the application is “ongoing,” the country’s Food and Drug Administration said.
  • The DOH would recommend to the government’s coronavirus task force the proposal of requiring inbound travelers to undergo another COVID-19 testing five days after their arrival in the country. This is to ensure the detection of possible infections before Filipinos coming home from abroad return to their communities.

Show comments