Philippines reports 4,650 new coronavirus cases, 111 additional deaths

Jeepney passengers seated between plastic barriers, wear face masks and face shields mandatory in public transportation, to help curb coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, August 19, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

The Philippine health ministry on Wednesday confirmed 4,650 new coronavirus infections and 111 additional deaths.

In a bulletin, the ministry said total confirmed cases have risen to 173,774, the highest in Southeast Asia, while deaths have increased to 2,795.

The government on Wednesday relaxed a strict lockdown in the capital and nearby provinces, allowing more business establishments to resume operations.

FILE PHOTO: A child wears a mask as people wait to get tested for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a government facility in Caloocan, Metro Manila, Philippines, August 18, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Martin Petty)