17,231 COVID Cases Tallied, New Record High for Philippines

The Philippines on Friday reported the highest single-day jump in COVID-19 infections, 17,231, on the eve of the easing of lockdown restrictions in Metro Manila.

The Aug. 20 tally beat the previous single-day record of 15,310 cases on April 2 and brought the total active cases to 123,251. Since the start of the pandemic, the cumulative total of COVID-19 infections rose to 1,807,000.

With 5,595 recoveries and 317 deaths recorded Friday, totals now stand at 1,653,351 and 31,198 respectively.

Metro Manila and other high-risk areas will shift to modified ECQ starting Saturday until Aug. 31. Though considered less strict compared to the tightest ECQ, many businesses and establishments operate at truncated capacities to arrest the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant.

All forms of dine-in are prohibited under MECQ. Curfew hours from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. will be maintained.

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