Philippines inn dire straits again - 4,578 new Covid-19 cases and highest in nearly 6 month; total now at 611,618

Health workers wearing protective suits prepare to enter a hotel that was placed under lockdown due to the number of Covid-19 cases among residents in Manila, Philippines on Thursday, March 11, 2021. The Philippine capital placed two villages and two hotels on lockdown Thursday and police have renewed warnings against kissing and other "public display of affection" after a new surge in coronavirus infections. - AP

MANILA, March 12 (Xinhua): The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported on Friday 4,578 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, the highest daily number in nearly six months, pushing the South-East Asian country's total tally to 611,618.

The record daily tally was compared to 4,699 cases reported on Sept. 14 last year.