New COVID-19 cases in the Philippines jumped to over 14,000 on Saturday as the coronavirus Delta variant strained hospitals nationwide.
The country reported 14,249 new COVID-19 cases, the second highest daily tally since the pandemic began in March 2020, the Department of Health said. The highest single-day jump of 15,310 was recorded last April 2, when the capital region was also under lockdown or ECQ.
Active COVID-19 cases in the country as of Saturday were at 98,847. There were 11,714 new recoveries reported, and 233 new deaths bringing the totals to 1,598,314 and 30,070 respectively.
Since the start of the pandemic, the Philippines has tallied 1,727,231 total COVID-19 infections.
Metro Manila remains under lockdown until Aug. 20 as authorities ramp up vaccinations to slow the spread of the Delta variant.
So far, some 12 million people in the country have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The government aims to inoculate at least 50 million this year to achieve its target of "population protection."