Philippines reports 18,012 new Covid-19 cases, total rises to 2,121,308 as WHO calls on govt to increase testing to detect clusters

People wearing face masks and shields to protect themselves against the Covid-19 coronavirus wait for their transport on a street in Manila on Tuesday, Sept 7, 2021, a day before the authorities lift a stay-at-home order amid record infections fuelled by the contagious Delta variant. - AFP

MANILA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua): The Philippines reported 18,012 new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) infections on Tuesday, bringing the South-East Asian country's confirmed cases to 2,121,308, the country's Department of Health (DOH) said.

The DOH also reported 161 coronavirus-related deaths, raising the country's death toll to 34,498. Twelve laboratories failed to submit data.