Philippines confirms 4,040 more novel coronavirus cases, 42 deaths

FILE PHOTO: A passenger wears a face mask and face shield on board a bus, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, September 7, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

The Philippines' health ministry on Friday reported 4,040 new coronavirus infections, the highest daily increase in 12 days, and 42 more deaths.

In a bulletin, the ministry said total confirmed cases had increased to 252,964, the most in Southeast Asia, while confirmed deaths have reached 4,108.

(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Ed Davies)