The Philippines on Saturday breached the 200,000-mark in total active COVID cases, an all-time high, after confirming 11,101 new infections, official data showed.
There were also 72 new deaths and 799 new recoveries, bringing the cumulative totals to 15,810 and 706,532, respectively, the Department of Health said. The total active cases stood at 203,710.
Since the pandemic started, the Philippines has reported a total 926,052 COVID-19 cases. A fresh surge that is straining the health system placed 24 million in Metro Manila, Laguna, Rizal, Cavite and Bulacan under strict quarantines until the end of the month.
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Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis around the world:
China's Coronavac
China's Coronavac vaccine was 67% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and 80% at preventing death, according to real-life results unveiled from Chile's inoculation campaign.
J&J verdict
Europe's medicines regulator says it expects to rule on the safety of Johnson & Johnson's coronavirus jab on Tuesday after vaccinations were put on hold in the U.S. and Europe over blood clot fears
German leader gets vaccinated
Chancellor Angela Merkel receives her first dose of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, more than two weeks after German authorities recommended use of the jab only for people aged 60 and over.
Al-Aqsa mosque
Thousands of Palestinians stream to Al-Aqsa mosque in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem on the first Friday of Ramadan, in the largest such gathering since the pandemic.
$1.7 billion against variants
The administration of President Joe Biden announces it will spend $1.7 billion to improve its ability to sequence the coronavirus for genetic changes, as dangerous new variants are poised to dominate the pandemic.
Flight suspension lifted
Portugal lifts its suspension on flights to and from Britain and Brazil for "essential trips".
Easing curbs
Italy will ease coronavirus restrictions for schools and restaurants from April 26.
German risk list
Germany removes Britain and Northern Ireland from the list of risk zones for coronavirus infections, meaning that travellers will no longer need to quarantine upon arrival.
Another blow for Games
A third leg of Japan's Olympic torch relay is scrapped and a BMX test event is postponed over rising virus cases and uncertainty about the viability of the Games ahead of their opening in July.
2.9 million dead
At least 2,987,891 people have died of COVID-19 around the world since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP.
The United States is the worst-affected country with 565,289 deaths, followed by Brazil with 365,444, Mexico with 211,213, India with 174,308 and Britain with 127,191.
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