Philippines reports record 7,999 new COVID-19 infections

Curfew violators are made to exercise as punishment as the government imposes curfew hours across Metro Manila in response to the surge of the coronavirus disease on March 20, 2021. (Reuters)

• The Southeast Asian nation is battling a renewed surge in infections

MANILA: The Philippine health ministry on Saturday recorded 7,999 new coronavirus infections, the second straight day that the country posted a record high in daily reported cases.
In a bulletin, the ministry said total confirmed cases have risen to 656,056 while confirmed deaths have reached 12,930, after 30 more were recorded on Saturday.
The Southeast Asian nation is battling a renewed surge in infections, including those of the new and more transmissible variants, delaying the further reopening of its pandemic-stricken economy.