COVID-19 cases breach 100,000

MANILA, Philippines — The number of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 cases in the country surpassed the 100,000 mark yesterday, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

Based on DOH data, 103,185 cases of COVID-19 were documented as of Aug. 2.

This was driven by the 5,032 new cases reported by 70 of the 94 testing laboratories. It was the fourth day wherein the DOH has been reporting record-high cases in a day.

Data show of the 5,032 cases, the National Capital Region accounted for 2,737; followed by Cavite with 463, Cebu with 449, Laguna with 326, and Rizal with 201.

The death toll rose to 2,059 due to 20 new fatalities while the number of recoveries had increased to 65,557 after 301 patients survived the virus.

In the Western Pacific, a situationer report of the World Health Organization stated that the Philippines is leading 15 countries in the region when it comes to COVID-19 cases as of Aug 1. China, where the virus originated, comes in second with 88,122 cases.

According to DOH, more than half of the hospital beds allocated for SARS-CoV-2 patients are now occupied.

Records showed as of Aug. 1, 56 percent of the more than 1,400 ICU beds were occupied while 52 percent of the 11,200 isolation beds were in use and 56 percent of the 4,000 ward beds were occupied.

Of the 2,000 mechanical ventilators, 31 percent were in use.

Data stated that a total of 1,453,038 individuals were tested using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, or RT-PCR, test.

Pinoy seamen infected

Meanwhile, 36 crewmembers – most of whom are Filipino – confined on a Norwegian cruise ship have tested positive for COVID-19, officials said Saturday.

Arriving at the northern Norwegian port of Tromso from the archipelago of Svalbard, the crew of the MS Roald Amundsen was quarantined on board the ship on Friday after four staff members tested positive for the virus and were hospitalized.

Of the 158 crew on board, 36 are infected, Pal Jakobsen, media officer for the city of Tromso, told AFP, confirming a development that raises fears of a resurgence of cases in Norway.

The ship’s company, Hurtigruten, had earlier indicated 33 positive tests.

The infected crew are all Filipino, apart from three people from France, Norway and Germany.

The company said on Friday that four crewmembers “were isolated several days ago because of other disease symptoms, with no symptoms of COVID-19.”

“There was no reason to suspect COVID-19 when the ship docked in Tromso based on the symptoms they were showing,” Hurtigruten said.

The ship had nearly 180 passengers on board since departing on July 25. None of the passengers reported symptoms related to COVID-19 during the voyage, Hurtigruten said.

All passengers disembarked the ship on Friday but about 60 people have since been quarantined in Tromso, the cruise line said on Saturday.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has not ruled out the possibility of more cases emerging, “but we will only have the answer once the tests have been carried out.”

It recommended all passengers remain quarantined while awaiting their results.