The Philippines has reported a record in new coronavirus cases and warned the trend could continue as restrictions were relaxed in the capital region to try to spur economic activity, Reuters reports.
The health ministry has confirmed 17,231 new cases and 317 fatalities, the highest daily death toll in four months. Deaths reached more than 1.8 per cent of total cases, bringing the August average to 1.5pc, versus 1.9pc in July.
More than 26pc of samples taken tested positive, the country's highest positivity rate so far, while active cases hit 123,251, a four-month record.
