DOH reports 883 new COVID-19 cases, 42 deaths

The Philippines' COVID-19 tally rose to 469,886 with 883 new infections reported by the Department of Health (DOH).

Rizal recorded the highest number of new cases, followed by Quezon City, Benguet, Davao City, and Manila.

The total number of recoveries reached 438,678 after 7,635 more patients recovered.

The death toll climbed to 9,109 with 42 new fatalities, and 10 previously recovered cases were reclassified as deaths.

There are 22,099 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine.

An expert from OCTA Research warned of a potential holiday surge in infections in early January due to the virus's incubation period.

President Rodrigo Duterte approved a two-week extension of the ban on travelers from the United Kingdom, where a new, more transmissible COVID-19 variant was discovered.

Travelers from countries with new variant infections must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival in the Philippines.