The Philippines, battling record-high surges due to the Delta variant, logged 16,621 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday.
Total cumulative cases since the pandemic began is now at 2,020,484, with 146,510 active cases.
There were 148 deaths and 10,965 recoveries reported Thursday, bringing totals to 33,680 and 1,840,294 respectively.
MECQ in the capital region and nearby areas is expected to last until Sept. 7 as authorities look to recalibrate pandemic response to allow for the safe reopening of businesses and industries.
Medical workers at the forefront have resigned after more than a year of no benefits and extra pay, with those still on the job calling for the resignation of Health Sec. Francisco Duque III whose department is under fire for allegedly mishandling P67 billion in pandemic funds.
