Manila Archbishop urges faithful to start attending in-person masses

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula has called on the faithful to return to attending masses in churches, GMA News' Mark Salazar reported on "Saksi."

The reminder was issued a few weeks before the Holy Week, a time the Catholic Church commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.

The Church allowed the online celebration of masses amid the COVID-19 pandemic at a time there was a high number of cases.

The prelate, meanwhile, has also asked priests to study the number of virtual masses celebrated in their own parishes.

Advincula, meanwhile, underscored that the people should follow health protocols.

The number of COVID-19 cases in the country is manageable even if there is a reported slight increase in the number of cases.

"Yun pong pagtaas, pagbaba, pagkakaroon ng kaso ng COVID-19 expected po natin yan," said OIC Health Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

"Pero ngayon, base sa ating pagmo-monitor, nakikita natin oo tumataas ang mga kaso. But our hospitals are all manageable, ang atin pong severe and critical (cases) are kept at minimum," she added.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday recorded 190 new COVID-19 cases as the active tally climbs to 9,244.

The country’s caseload is currently at 4,079,237, while the number of active cases increased from 9,228 on Monday. -- BAP, GMA Integrated News