The Philippines on Thursday recorded 16,313 new cases of COVID-19 as the government signaled a shift to street-level from region-wide lockdowns.
This brings active COVID-19 cases in the country to 131,921. There were 9,659 new recoveries and 236 new deaths reported.
All in all, the country has recorded a cumulative total of 1,899,200 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, with 1,734,551 total recoveries and 32,728 total deaths.
The MECQ in Metro Manila and other high risk areas is expected to end on Aug. 31. Malacanang said it was eyeing granular lockdowns to contain the virus as more businesses reopen.
According to Health Usec. Rosario Vergeire, the Philippines could see a rise in COVID cases due to the more transmissible Delta variant even as vaccination efforts persist.