MANILA, May 20 — The Philippines' health ministry today recorded 279 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, the highest daily increase in nine days, and five additional deaths.

In a bulletin, the ministry said total deaths had reached 842, while infections have risen to 13,221, with total recoveries rising 89 to 2,932.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque told a senate panel today that the country is already facing a second wave of infections, with the first occurring in January when three Chinese from Wuhan tested positive of the virus. — Reuters