PH COVID-19 cases surpass 173k with 4,650 new infections

The Philippines' COVID-19 total case count reached 173,774 with 4,650 new infections reported on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.

Metro Manila recorded the highest number of new cases with 3,092, followed by Cavite with 249 and Laguna with 194.

The national death toll from COVID-19 climbed to 2,795 with 111 new fatalities, and recoveries increased to 113,481 with 716 additional patients recovering.

There are 57,498 active cases, with 91.4 percent mild, 6.5 percent asymptomatic, 0.9 percent severe, and 1.2 percent critical.

As of August 18, 50 percent of COVID-19 intensive care unit beds nationwide were occupied and 28 percent of mechanical ventilators were in use.

President Rodrigo Duterte placed Mega Manila back to a general community quarantine (GCQ) from August 19 to August 31, which will be a stricter form of GCQ with a uniform 8 pm to 5 am curfew.

Backriding in motorcycles is still allowed provided that both riders are from the same address, and protective barriers are no longer required.

People going out are required to have both face masks and face shields.