Philippines extends coronavirus curbs as infections hit record for second day

The Philippines reported Southeast Asia’s biggest daily jump in new coronavirus cases for a second straight day on Friday, as its president extended restrictions in the capital to quell the spread, and promised normality would return in December.

President Rodrigo Duterte in a televised address also said the Philippines would be given priority in supplies should China make a breakthrough with a COVID-19 vaccine and the poorest Filipinos would be treated with it first.

“My plea is to endure some more. Many have been infected,” Duterte said.

“I promise you, by December, by the grace of God, we will be back to normal,” Duterte said.