THE Department of Health has recorded 14,640 fresh coronavirus disease cases over the past week, a 44 percent increase in new cases compared to those logged the previous week, the agency announced Monday, July 18, 2022.The agency said one Covid-related death, which occurred in October 2021, was verified over the past week.
As of July 17, the DOH said 589 individuals or 8.7 percent of the total Covid-19 admission were severe or critical. Out of the 2,630 intensive care units beds in the country, 481 were occupied while 23.8 percent or 5,189 out of the 21,809 non-ICU beds were being utilized. Hospital utilization is the primary concern of the government in the management of Covid-19 pandemic. Once it reaches more than 50 percent utilization, mobility restrictions are expected to be put in place to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed.Meanwhile, the DOH said 71,322,848 individuals or 91.32 percent of the government’s target population are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19. This includes 267,096 senior citizens who are among the vulnerable population.