Philippines reports record 7,999 new COVID-19 infections

[rooster59]

Curfew violators are gathered at a covered court as the government imposes curfew hours across Metro Manila in response to the surge of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, in Manila, Philippines, March 20, 2021. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines on Saturday recorded 7,999 new coronavirus infections, the second straight day that the country posted a record high in daily cases.

In a bulletin, the health ministry said total confirmed cases have risen to 656,056 while confirmed deaths have reached 12,930, after 30 more were recorded on Saturday.

The Southeast Asian nation is battling a renewed surge in infections, including those of the new and more transmissible variants, delaying the further reopening of its pandemic-stricken economy.

"The country's recorded COVID-19 cases remain high. Better to stay home if going out is unnecessary," the ministry said.

Graphic: Philippines battles new surge in COVID-19 infection - https://graphics.reuters.com/HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/PHILIPPINES/bdwpkmebwpm/chart.png

The Philippines also logged 114 COVID-19 cases because of new coronavirus variants, including six infections of the homegrown P.3 variant, after a new series of genome sequencing on 150 samples.

It reported 46 new infections of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in Britain, and 62 cases of the B.1.351 variant discovered in South Africa. This brings cases for those variants to 223 and 152, respectively.

The Philippines has the second-highest COVID-19 cases and deaths in Southeast Asia, after Indonesia.

(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by William Mallard and Kim Coghill)

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-03-20

 

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[Pattaya Spotter]

Glad I'm here and not there...many areas are starting to lockdown again.

[Tarteso]

Danger times in the Islands. Good luck with Philipinos  having a leader with a very big mouth.

[lopburi3]

Angeles City no booze, nobody below 18 or above 60 allowed to leave home for next several weeks.  Pool tables are covered.  The "resto/bars" that have just opened are closed again.  

[Aomelia]

Duterte runs Phils like Trump Ruled USA Thugs 

[Meat Pie 47]

On 3/20/2021 at 7:42 PM, Pattaya Spotter said:

Glad I'm here and not there...many areas are starting to lockdown again.

I am glad where I am too. we had no local infection for well over 11 months and yes I am not in Thailand