The Philippines on Thursday logged 1,297 new COVID-19 cases as Metro Manila mayors discussed whether or not unvaccinated children should be allowed in shopping malls.
The day's tally brought active cases to 23,158. There were 1,956 new recoveries and 305 new deaths, the Department of Health said.
Of the day's deaths, only 36 occurred in November 2021, with 36% of the reported deaths today occurring in October 2021 and 35% occurring in September 2021 due to late encoding of death information.
The Philippines is rolling out the alert-based quarantine system nationwide in phases. Under this five-step system, larger areas of jurisdiction can opt to implement granular lockdowns in high-risk areas only.
Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Zamboanga Peninsula shifted to the new system yesterday, with more provinces to follow on Nov. 22.
President Rodrigo Duterte in his Tuesday night address said he was making wearing of face shields voluntary in areas under the three lowest alert levels.
For areas under Alert Level 4, local government units and private establishments are given the discretion to mandate the use of face shields. Wearing of the plastic shields is mandatory under Alert Level 5.
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