MANILA (UPDATE) - The Philippines on Monday announced 951 new COVID-19 cases, the first time this year the tally fell below 1,000, ahead of easing Metro Manila and some other areas in the country to Alert Level 1 or the new normal.

The positivity rate was at 5 percent, based on test results of samples from 22,407 people on Feb. 26, Saturday, according to the latest Department of Health bulletin.

Of the newly reported cases, 895 or 94 percent occurred within the recent 14 days. Metro Manila (231 cases), Calabarzon (136 cases) and Western Visayas (93 cases) were the top regions with additional infections in the recent two weeks.

The number of fresh cases is the lowest since Dec. 29, when 889 were reported, according to the ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group.

The Philippines has so far tallied a total of 3,661,997 cases, of which 52,179 or 1.4 percent remain active. This is the lowest number of active infections since Jan. 5, when the DOH announced 39,974, the ABS-CBN IRG said.

Of those still battling the disease, 47,157 (90.38 percent) are mild cases, 2,779 (5.33 percent) are moderate, 1,417 (2.72 percent) are severe, 528 (1.01 percent) have no symptoms, and 298 (0.57 percent) are critical.

COVID-related deaths increased by 50 to 56,451. Of the newly reported fatalities, 23 occurred this month, 22 last month, one in October last year, three in September, and one in June, the DOH said.

The figure is the lowest daily death toll since Feb. 22, when 13 were recorded, the ABS-CBN IRG said.

There were 1,717 more recoveries, raising the total number of recuperations to 3,553,367.

Three duplicates, including a recovery, were removed from the total case count, while 36 cases previously tagged as recuperations were reclassified as deaths after final validation, the DOH said.

Five laboratories, which contribute on average 3.9 percent of samples tested and 0.7 percent of positive cases, were unable to submit their data, the DOH said.

The intensive care unit (ICU) bed utilization rate in Metro Manila and nationwide was at 25 percent and 27 percent, respectively.

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The capital region is set to deescalate Tuesday to Alert Level 1 which allows full capacity in public transportation and workplaces.

• Metro Manila, 38 other areas to shift to Alert Level 1 starting March 1 - Palace

Adults would be required to present proof of full vaccination before participating in mass gatherings such as election-related events, or religious services, or entry into indoor establishments, such as restaurants, barbershops and hair salons, gyms, cinemas, parties, wedding receptions, karaoke bars, and concert halls.

• PH increases COVID vaccination target to 100 million
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March 1 also marks the first anniversary of the COVID-19 inoculation in the country. More than 63 million people have so far been fully vaccinated against the respiratory illness, while more than 68.7 million others have received their first dose, as of Sunday, Feb. 27, data monitored by the ABS-CBN IRG showed.

More than 10.1 million booster doses have also been administered.

Authorities continue to encourage those who have yet to receive their jab to do so, saying it prevents severe illness and hospitalization. They also remind the public to follow minimum health protocols such as wearing of face masks, observing social distancing and frequent hand-washing.