17,382 COVID Cases as Metro Manila Awaits February Alert Level

The Philippines on Saturday reported 17,382 new COVID cases as authorities prepare to update Metro Manila's quarantine classification for February.

The day's tally brought total active cases to 213,587. The Department of Health also reported 70 new deaths and 35,382 recoveries. Since the pandemic began in 2020, the Philippines has reported a total of 3,528,796 cases and 53,871 deaths.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 is due to decide over the weekend on the capital region's quarantine classification after Alert Level 3, the third highest under the five-step system, expires on Jan. 31.

On Friday, authorities released new gudelines for international arrivals that are based on vaccine status instead of country of origin, effectively suspending the Red-Yellow-Green List system.

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