Philippines' Covid-19 total almost 280,000; cemeteries to be closed during observance season

Mothers wearing masks resting with their newborn babies on shared beds inside the maternity ward of the government-run Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, amid the Covid-10 outbreak, in Manila, Philippines, on Friday (Sept 18, 2020). The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the Philippines surged to 279,526 after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 3,257 new daily cases on Friday. - Reuters

MANILA, Sept 18 (Xinhua): The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the Philippines surged to 279,526 after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 3,257 new daily cases on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Philippine government has ordered the closure of all private and public cemeteries, memorial parks and columbariums nationwide from Oct 29 to Nov 4 to prevent the spread of Covid-19 during the observance of All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day.