Record 46% of all Covid-19 tests in Philippines come back positive; back to half day trading as virus surges

A resident reacts as a health worker inoculates him with the Astra Zeneca's Covid-19 vaccine at a vaccination center in Quezon City, Philippines on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Officials said they are assuming that the local transmission of the highly contagious omicron variant is driving the current spike in COovid-19 cases as government enforces stricter health restrictions in the country. - AP

MANILA, Jan 11 (Bloomberg): The percentage of positive Covid-19 tests reached a record high in the Philippines, fueling fears of a return to stricter curbs on movement and triggering a selloff of stocks as hopes fade for a swift economic recovery.

Positivity rates are rising across Asia, a warning sign as countries brace for the highly infectious omicron variant to take hold after delta ripped through the region last year.