The Philippines on Wednesday reported 6,414 new COVID-19 cases as the Greater Manila Area marked halfway through the extended lockdown to curb a surge in infections.
The fewer tally of new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday was brought about by fewer samples received by laboratories last Monday, the Department of Health said.
"The relatively lower number of cases today is due to the low number of samples received by laboratories last April 5, 2021," the health department said in its bulletin.
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Wednesday's fresh infections brought the total active cases to 158,701 and the cumulative total since the start of the pandemic to 819,164, the DOH said.
There were 242 new deaths and 163 new recoveries on Wednesday, bringing the cumulative totals to 14,059 and 646,404 respectively.
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