The Department of Health (DOH) reported 214 new positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines, bringing the total cases to 12,305.

“As of 4PM today, May 16, 2020, the Department of Health reports 214 new cases (PH12092-PH12305) of COVID-19. NCR with additional 147 new cases, and 67 new cases from different Regions. The total number of cases in the country is now at 12,305,” said DOH COVID-19 Case  Bulletin #063.

The DOH also reported 11 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 817.

DOH also announces 101 new recoveries. This brings the total number of recoveries to 2,561.

The latest figures came as the government on Saturday started easing lockdown rules, enforced for 2 months in Luzon and other high-risk areas, to stop the spread of the virus.

Metro Manila, Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Zambales and Angeles City shifted to a modified lockdown, where government sought to jumpstart the economy ravaged by the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the cities of Cebu and Mandaue in the Visayas remain under enhanced community quarantine, while other parts of the country are now under general community quarantine, with loosened restrictions.

Since surfacing in China late last year, COVID-19 has sickened 4.5 million people and killed more than 300,000 others worldwide as experts worked at unprecedented speeds to develop a vaccine against the disease./Stacy Ang