The Philippines on Thursday recorded 7,835 additional COVID-19 cases as authorities prepared to ease restriction in Metro Manila by one notch to Alert Level 3.
The day's tally brought active cases to 82,411. The Department of Health also reported 6,889 new recoveries and 173 deaths.
The country, facing one of Southeast Asia's worst outbreaks, has recorded 2,690,455 cases in total since the start of the pandemic, of which 2,567,975 recovered and 40,069 died.
Alert Level 3 will start on Saturday until the end of October. Staycations are allowed and cinemas can reopen with the one-seat-apart rule and only for the fully vaccinated. Highly restricted businesses can operate up to 30% capacity.
Those aged 15 to 17 years are set to receive their jabs later this week as vaccinations are expanded to the general population as young as 12.
YOUR GUIDE TO ALERT LEVEL 3:
Metro Manila to Shift to Alert Level 3, Here's What It Means
LIST: Staycation Hotels in Metro Manila Under Alert Level 3
Cinemas are Back Under Alert Level 3 in Metro Manila
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