MANILA (UPDATE)--The Philippines on Saturday breached the 6,000-mark in coronavirus disease 2019 cases after tallying 209 more patients, the Department of Health said.

Locally, the total number of COVID-19 positive patients is now at 6,087. The health department also recorded 29 recoveries, bringing the sum to 516.

Ten more deaths were recorded, raising the total to 397.

Luzon and some other parts of the Philippines have been placed on lockdown to curb the spread of the virus.

To boost the government's efforts against the disease, mass testing has also been expanded to persons under monitoring for the coronavirus.

About 8,700 patients in Metro Manila suspected to have the virus will be tested starting April 21, Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the government’s COVID-19 response said Friday.

• Testing of 8,700 suspected COVID cases in Metro Manila to start Tuesday: Galvez

Health chief Francisco Duque earlier said he wanted 24 hour testing in laboratories. The health department is also eyeing to have one COVID-19 hospital per region to boost its efforts against the virus.