The Philippines on Thursday reported 4,575 new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections, pushing the nationwide tally to 3,627,575. 

The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed all Covid-19 laboratories were functional on February 8, but five laboratories failed to submit their reports on time. 

Among the new infections reported, 3,461 or 76% happened within the recent 14 days from January 28 to February 10.

Western Visayas (Region 6) topped the regions in the country with the most number of cases in the recent two weeks at 451 or 13% of total cases; followed by Region 7 with 400 or 12%; and the National Capital Region with 392 or 11%.

Currently, there are 93,307 active Covid-19 infections undergoing medical treatment and/or quarantine: 3,316 are asymptomatic; 85,244 are mild; 1,444 are severe; and 312 are critical.

Meanwhile, the country’s recovery rate climbed to 3,479,485 with 7,504 more patients winning the fight against the deadly respiratory illness.

Death toll, on the other hand, increased to 54,783 with 94 new fatalities. 

The DOH noted that 176 duplicates were removed from the nationwide count, while 47 infections previously declared as recoveries were reclassified as fatalities after validation.  Ronald Espartinez