By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) reported an additional 1,768 new confirmed COVID-19 cases today, bringing the country total to 439,834.

Image/www.demis.nl via wikimedia commons

Quezon City recorded the most new cases with 112 infections, followed by Laguna with 94, Rizal with 90, Davao City with 71, and Benguet with 69.

DOH also reports 408,634 of the cases have recovered to date, of 92.9 percent of those who tested positive.

29 additional deaths were recorded, bringing the total deaths on the archipelago to 8554.

In Manila earlier late last week, in an effort to enforce social distancing, police will be armed with “rattan sticks” in public areas in Metro Manila.

“We have doubled the deployment of cops and soldiers would also assist us in physical distancing patrols. This was what our chief PNP (Philippine National Police), Gen. Debold Sinas ordered. They have one-meter rattan sticks to enforce the physical distancing rule,” Lt. Gen. Cesar Hawthorne Binag said.

PHILIPPINES DOH: STAY AT HOME THIS CHRISTMAS

In addition, Binag said chiefs of police are also tasked to coordinate with the management of establishments such as shopping centers to ensure the enforcement of health protocols in malls, especially this holiday season.

PNP will also enforce 30 percent capacity rule in places of worship over the Christmas season in addition to strictly enforcing the “no-caroling” and “no Christmas party” policy to avoid mass gatherings.

Philippines COVID-19 cases top 400K, Cebu City to ban Christmas caroling

Philippines: ‘We have managed COVID-19 very well in this country’ despite Bloomberg rankings

Philippines reports 21 new HIV cases every day: Health officials