Philippines logs record-high 19,441 new COVID-19 cases

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health on Saturday reported 19,441 COVID-19 infections—the highest daily rise since the pandemic began—as the country battles a fresh surge driven by the highly contagious Delta variant. 

This brought the country's total caseload to 1,935,700.

• Active cases: 142,679 or 7.4% of the total
• Recoveries: 19,191 or, bringing total to 1,760,013
• Deaths: 167, raising toll to 33,008

In its latest bulletin, the DOH reported a positivity rate of 27.5% out of 71,620 tests.

Metro Manila stays in MECQ

• Metro Manila and 15 other areas will remain under modified enhanced community quarantine from September 1 to 7.
   
• A study published in the Lancet suggested that the Delta variant of COVID-19 doubles the risk of hospitalization compared to the Alpha variant.
   
• The Philippines will continue to use the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna, the DOH said after Japan suspended the use of jab due to reported contamination.
   
• Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he will resign after he clears his names and addresses the findings of state auditors.