The Philippines on Friday reported over 12,000 new COVID-19 cases, a day before the country's pandemic task force is set to decide on whether to extend or ease the enhanced community quarantine in the Greater Manila Area.
The Department of Health confirmed 12,225 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the total active infections to 178,351.
There were 401 new deaths reported and 946 new recoveries, bringing the totals to 14,520 and 647,683 respectively.
Since the start of the pandemic last year, the Philippines has reported a cumulative total of 840,554 COVID-19 cases.
ALSO READ:
COVID Patients Gasp for Air as Hospitals Struggle to Keep Up
COVID Patient Self-Isolates in Car, Dies Days Later
Seeing Shades of Yolanda, Frontliners Seek Tougher Pandemic Response
Government officials are set to meet on Saturday to decide on COVID-19 protocols in the Greater Manila Area as a surge in infections continues to overwhelm hospitals.
Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal were initially placed under ECQ nearly two weeks ago to cap the surge in infections. The ECQ has since been extended by a week until April 11.
Malacañang had said that it could ease the lockdown by a notch to modified enhanced community quarantine or MECQ if the pandemic situation improves.
ALSO READ:
One Week MECQ Eyed in Metro Manila, Nearby Areas After Strict Lockdown
