All the top stories that you need to know before the day ends here at Trendrod.
Several restrictions return as Metro Manila lockdown turns one year old
On this day, in 2020, Metro Manila was first placed under ‘community quarantine’, which was later heightened to ‘enhanced community quarantine’ or ECQ. One year on, the Philippines’ capital region is under a major dilemma once again as there has been a significant spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in the past few weeks. To contain the further spread of the virus, local government units in NCR have created unified curfew hours that is expected to last for two weeks.
The curfew begins at 10:00p.m. each evening and ends at 5:00a.m. the following day. Workers from primarily essential sectors are exempted from the new rules.
Philippines records fourth highest daily tally since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic
Today, the Philippines reported 5,404 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing the total to almost 627,000. This daily increase is the highest since August 14, a day when the country had 6,134 new cases. It is also the fourth highest daily jump recorded since January 30, 2020.
As of March 15, 2021, there are little over 53,000 active cases nationwide, total recoveries now over 560,000, and mortalities is at 12,837.
Presidential spokesperson tests positive for COVID-19
The Malacañang Palace spokesperson announced today that he has tested positive for COVID-19. His last public event was in Ilocos Sur last March 12, but he also said that he was tested negative prior to that on March 10.
PTV suspends production of their programs as part of COVID-19 preventive measures
PTV has implemented precautionary measures yet again due to a recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the country. Several shows on channel 4 have temporarily cease broadcast beginning today. The list includes much of the station’s newscast, with the exception of the Network Briefing News, Malacañang Press Conferences, and Ulat Bayan (Weekday edition).
Magnitude 4.3 quake jolts Zambales
At 7:20 this evening, a Magnitude 4.3 quake with an epicenter 30km West of Iba shook Zambales and several parts of Luzon. Recorded intensities were II in Guagua, Pampanga and I in Quezon City, Calumpit, Bulacan, Dagupan, Pangasinan, and San Jose, Nueva Ecija.
Female artists make history at the 2021 Grammy Awards
Singer Beyoncé Knowles bagged a Grammy for Best R&B Performance for Black Parade. With her win, she is now the most-awarded female singer in the history of the Grammy Awards. Knowles now has 28 Grammys to date.
Meanwhile, Taylor Swift has also clinched the Album of the Year award for Folklore. This is Swift’s third time to win the said award, with her first time being in 2014 for Red and the second AOTY award was for 1989 in 2016.