Philippines reports second-biggest daily jump in Covid-19 cases; total caseload now above 1.74 million

A policeman inspects passengers inside a jeepney passing through a checkpoint on the first day of a two-week lockdown to prevent the spread of the highly infectious coronavirus Delta variant, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. - Reuters

MANILA, Aug 15 (Reuters): The Philippines recorded 14,749 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, its second-largest daily increase, bringing the South-East Asian country's total confirmed infections to 1.74 million.

The Department of Health also reported an additional 270 deaths, the third highest one-day spike in fatalities, increasing the death toll to 30,340.