MANILA (UPDATE) — The Philippines on Monday recorded 5,404 new coronavirus infections, the fourth highest reported in a day since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, bringing the total number of cases to 626,893.

The number of additional cases is also the highest since Aug. 14 last year, according to the ABS-CBN research and data analytics groups.

• READ: Public told to be vigilant as COVID-19 cases rising 'faster than before'

Five laboratories failed to submit their results on time, the Department of Health said.

Active cases stood at 53,479 or 8.5% of the cumulative total cases.

The number of additional daily cases in recent weeks has been higher than those reported in January and February, mainly due to the spread of the disease in the National Capital Region and in Region 7.

Eight new COVID-19 related deaths were also reported, raising the total fatalities to 12,837, accounting for 2.05 percent of the cumulative total cases.

Total recoveries went up by 71 to 560,577.

Of those currently battling the disease, 92.4% have mild symptoms, 4% are asymptomatic, 1.4% are in critical condition, 1.4% have severe symptoms, and 0.73% have moderate symptoms.

Meanwhile, 9 cases, 3 tagged as recovered, were removed from the official tally for being duplicate entries.

The DOH has reported a slightly higher health care utilization rate in NCR, Region 7, Region 11 and the Cordillera Administrative Region, prompting it to ask the public not to be complacent and adhere to strict health protocols.

• READ: ICU bed occupancy in COVID-hit areas at ‘moderate risk’ level - DOH

The DOH said the spread of the virus is still mainly due to the non-compliance of health protocols, although the presence of more transmissible COVID-19 variants might be a contributing factor.

The World Health Organization said this is not considered a second wave but a spike in the trend that started last year.

• READ: Not 2nd wave: Rise of COVID cases in NCR a ‘spike’ in ongoing wave, says WHO

The Philippines is currently rolling out its COVID-19 vaccines to health workers. As of March 13, more than 193,000 health workers have been vaccinated.

• READ: Over 193,000 get first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in first 13 days of inoculation in PH - DOH

There are 49.3 million people currently infected with COVID-19 worldwide. Since the start of the pandemic, 119.9 million people have contracted the disease, according to the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus dashboard. Of those, more than 2.6 million have died and almost 68 million have recovered.

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