"Africa is in the midst of a full-blown third wave. The sobering trajectory of surging cases should rouse everyone into urgent action," said the World Health Organization.

Malaya reminded the public to "be more disciplined" in following rules that he said were "meant to protect them and their families." 

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday once again tried to assuage fears of rising US inflation, even while a majority of central bank officials now believe interest rates will increase in 2023.

The Cebu Pacific flight carrying 1.5 million vaccine doses arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport past 7 a.m., the National Task Force against COVID-19 said.

"We simply must do everything to carry out mass vaccinations in the shortest possible time and stop this terrible disease, stop the deaths of thousands of people."