Manila, Dec 28 (TIWN) The total number of coronavirus cases in the Philippines increased to 469,886 as 883 new cases were reported on Sunday, the lowest daily increase in more than five months.

The death toll spiked to 9,109 after 42 more patients died.  At least 7,635 more patients recovered, raising the total number of recoveries to 438,678, the Department of Health said.  The government has adopted measures to mitigate the spread of a new coronavirus variant first detected in Britain that is now spreading in some countries.  President Rodrigo Duterte stressed the need to enhance surveillance to stop the new strain from reaching the Philippines.