Philippines: Covid-19 cases getting high again; vaccine makers are seeking emergency use authorisation - total almost 486,000

Roman catholic devotees wearing face masks, face shields and observing social distancing to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus attend mass on a road near Quiapo church in Manila on January 9, 2021, during the annual celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene. - AFP

MANILA, Jan. 9 (Xinhua): The Department of Health (DOH) of the Philippines on Saturday reported 1,952 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the total in the country to 485,797.

The death toll climbed to 9,398 after 34 more patients died from the viral disease, the DOH said. It added 291 more patients recovered, raising the total number of recoveries to 449,615.