MANILA, WELLINGTON: The Philippines’ Health Ministry on Saturday reported 239 new coronavirus deaths, the second-highest daily increase in casualties since the pandemic started, and 2,240 infections.
The previous daily high death toll was 259 deaths reported on Sept. 14.
The ministry said total confirmed cases have increased to 559,288 while confirmed COVID-19 deaths have reached 12,068.
President Rodrigo Duterte is to decide next week whether to further loosen coronavirus curbs in the capital, Manila, to allow more economic activity.
Meanwhile, New Zealand launched its COVID-19 vaccination program on Saturday but warned the initial rollout was only a small step in the long battle against the pandemic.
The vaccine drive begins just days after authorities lifted a coronavirus lockdown in Auckland which confined most of the city’s residents to their homes for three days.
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