Philippines COVID-19 cases surpass 296k, active cases at 59k

The Philippines' COVID-19 tally reached 296,755 with 2,180 new infections reported on Thursday.

The death toll climbed to 5,127 with 36 new fatalities.

Eighteen cases previously tagged as recovered were reclassified to deaths (17) and an active (1) case.

Metro Manila still logged the highest number of newly reported cases with 802.

Total recoveries rose to 231,928 after 580 more patients recovered.

There are 59,700 active cases, with 86.6 percent being mild, 9.2 percent asymptomatic, 1.3 percent severe, and 2.9 percent critical.

As of September 23, 48 percent of COVID-19 intensive care unit beds nationwide were occupied and 24 percent of mechanical ventilators were in use.

Thirteen hospitals will participate in the World Health Organization's (WHO) solidarity coronavirus vaccine trials.