COVID-19: Record of contaminations in the Philippines, which lightens its restrictions

The Philippines recorded Friday August 20 a new record for contamination by the COVVI-19 in 24 hours, while the authorities alleviate health restrictions to relieve the economy, faced with the financial difficulties of the population.

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More than 13 million people in the Capital Manila region have been confined since August 6 to try to contain an increase in cases related to the Delta variant, which has submerged hospitals.The authorities responsible for managing the pandemic resolved Thursday to authorize the reopening of shops from Saturday.But the order to stay at home for non-endorships is still in force, while restaurants remain closed.

17% of the vaccinated population

This decision to lighten the restrictions comes while the 17.231 new contaminations in 24 hours recorded on Friday are a new record in the Philippines, which have more than 1.8 million contaminations since the start of the pandemic, according to data from the Department of."The number of cases of COVID-19 could further increase in the coming days," warned its managers.The health authorities, fearing that the Delta variant will swear on the archipelago as is the case in neighboring countries, has redoubled efforts on vaccination in an attempt to hinder the progression of the virus.

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In the region of the capital Manila, around half of the targeted population must be completely vaccinated by next week, the presidency spokesman Harry Roque said Thursday..At the national level, only 17% of the population is vaccinated.Official figures show that the pressure increases on hospitals in the capital, with 74% of intensive care beds and 70% of beds in COVVI-19 unit occupied.But President Rodrigo Duterte recently announced that the Philippines could not afford more.The previous containment, in March, had left the exsangue economy and millions of unemployed people.