Philippines reports 15,789 more COVID-19 cases

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines on Tuesday reported 15,789 additional COVID-19 infections, raising the country’s nationwide tally to 3,475,293.

Ninety-five percent of the newly-reported cases occurred from January 13 to 26, according to the Department of Health.

The regions with the highest number of additional infections during that period were Calabarzon (2,248), Metro Manila (2,135) and Central Luzon (1,520).

The country’s death toll rose by 66 to 53,664, while recoveries increased by 32,712 to 3,191,219.

The number of active cases was down to 230,410, of which nearly 95% had mild illness.

According to the DOH, 35.8% of 43,725 samples on January 24 tested positive for COVID-19, way above the threshold set by the World Health Organization.

Three testing laboratories did not submit data to the agency.

Daily cases hit record highs this month following the detection of local cases of the hyper-contagious Omicron variant. 

Unvaccinated given 30 days to use public transpo

• The government gave the unvaccinated and partially vaccinated workers in industries allowed under Alert Level 3 30 days to use public transportation, national government agencies said.
   
• The World Health Organization said the risk level related to the Omicron variant remains very high.
   
• The DOH called on government officials to act as role models for the public by getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

— Gaea Katreena Cabico