Philippines reports spike in coronavirus cases

Philippines has reported its biggest spike in coronavirus infections in recent days as government eases quarantine restrictions to revive ecomy, raising possibility its crowded capital may be placed back under a strict lockdown.

Department of Health reported a total of 2,434 cases in recent days, most of m in metropolitan Manila, raising number of confirmed cases nationwide to more than 44,250, including 1,297 deaths. Infections and deaths are among highest in Souast Asia.

Interior Secretary Eduardo A said re's a possibility capital area may revert back to a lockdown if uptick continues and hospitals get filled to capacity again.

At least one major Manila hospital, Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, said its COVID-19 ward was running at full capacity and appealed that new patients be taken elsewhere.

President Rodrigo Duterte eased lockdown in metropolitan Manila, an epicenter of infections, on June 1 to bolster an ecomy on brink of recession. One major commercial and tourism region, central Cebu city, was placed back under a strict lockdown in mid-June due to alarming infection spikes.