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MANILA: The Philippines reported a record daily increase of 8,019 COVID-19 infections on Monday (March 22) as authorities implemented tighter restrictions in the congested capital region and hospital capacity approached critical levels in some areas. .
In a bulletin, the Health Ministry said total confirmed cases had reached 671,792, while deaths rose by four to 12,972. It was the third time the Philippines posted a new record for daily cases in the past four days.
“Exercise extra caution to prevent the rapid spread of COVID-19 cases,” the ministry said in a statement, urging people to stay home if possible.
Intensive care departments in the capital’s hospitals were approaching critical levels, government data showed.
Food is delivered over a makeshift barrier near a concrete wall built in the middle of a road for security purposes from a nearby prison amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, Philippines, March 22, 2021 REUTERS / Eloisa Lopez
The new wave of cases in the Philippines, which has the second highest number of COVID-19 infections and deaths in Southeast Asia, also threatens hopes for a strong economic rebound after a record contraction last year and the loss of millions. of jobs.
The surge in cases has prompted authorities to act and Monday marked the start of a two-week tightening of restrictions in the capital region, an urban sprawl of 16 cities that is home to at least 13 million people and four adjacent provinces.
READ: Philippines closes churches, slows travel as COVID-19 rises
Nighttime curfews are also in effect and social gatherings are limited to 10 people and indoor meals are prohibited.
Tighter measures could reduce the number of new cases by at least 25 percent, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said at a news conference on Monday.
READ: Asia accelerates launch of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, even as confidence plummets in Europe
The Philippines, which launched its vaccination campaign later than its neighbors earlier this month, received 1.125 million donated doses of the Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines.
The government plans to launch 140.5 million injections by December, to inoculate 70 million adults as it seeks to achieve herd immunity.
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