Sunday, April 25, 2021
Philippines conducts maritime drills in West PH Sea
The Philippines on Saturday conducted maritime exercises in the West Philippine Sea as the country filed fresh diplomatic protests against China for its incursions.
The Philippine Coast Guard said it used 8 capital ships with government along with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to intensify their training on navigation, small boat operations, maintenance, and logistical operations.
BRP Gabriela Silang and BRP Sindangan began their training Saturday near Bajo De Masinloc while the BRP Cabra, BRP Malapascua and BFAR Vessels started exercises since last week near Pag-asa Island, said PCG spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo.
Aside from its exercises in Bajo De Masinloc and Pag-asa Island, the ships will also train in the Batanes Group of Islands, Benham Rise, and in the southern and eastern portions of the country, Balilo said.
The Coast Guard is planning to conduct medical and dental missions among local residents and coastal families in the Pag-asa Island next week, he added.
"We are supporting the whole-of-nation approach in securing our maritime jurisdiction, especially the efforts of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) to undertake maritime security, maritime safety, maritime law enforcement, maritime search and rescue, and marine environmental protection roles in our country’s waters,” he said.
The Philippines on Friday filed two new diplomatic protests against China over its illegal and lingering presence in Philippine waters, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
It had vowed to continuously file diplomatic actions until Beijing's ships leave the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, which is believed to hold valuable gas and oil deposits.
China's sweeping claims over almost the entire South China Sea has been adjudged to have no legal basis by a UN-backed arbitration court in The Hague last 2016.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/philippines-conducts-maritime-drills-in-west-ph-sea
PH urged to ramp up daily COVID-19 tests to 150,000: OCTA Research
The Philippines should scale up its daily COVID-19 testing to at least 150,000 as it battles a pandemic surge, the OCTA Research Group said Sunday.
Metro Manila's reproduction rate, or the number of people infected by a virus patient, has decreased to 0.93 following the imposition of stricter quarantine measures, according to Professor Guido David, a member of OCTA.
The capital region, home to a tenth of the country's population, has also posted a positivity rate of 19 percent versus 25 percent 3 weeks ago, David said. The ideal positivity rate is 5 percent as per the World Health Organization's guidelines, he noted.
"At least 75,000 sana ang testing in NCR (National Capital Region) alone. Nationwide siguro, 150,000 would be a starting point. Pag wala namang surge, we can decrease the number of tests," he told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.
(There should be at least 75,000 daily COVID-19 tests in NCR alone. Nationwide, maybe around 150,000 would be a starting point. We can decrease the number of tests if there's no surge.)
"What we're seeing is mataas pa rin ang hospitalization. Maganda 'yung trend na nagi-improve and we want to sustain the downward trend. May uncertainty pa rin dito because the positivity rate is still high."
(We're seeing still high hospitalization rate. The trend is improving and we want to sustain its downward trend. There's still uncertainty because the positivity rate is still high.)
As of late, the country is conducting an average of over 55,000 COVID-19 tests per day, peaking to more than 60,000, Secretary Vince Dizon, the Philippines' testing czar, said last Thursday.
Hospitals in Metro Manila and nearby provinces will remain full for the "next few weeks possibly" as 10 percent of around 3,800 daily coronavirus cases require hospitalization, David said.
"We will not get immediate reprieve sa ating hospital system...Ang isang bottleneck is because we don’t have enough nurses right now," he said.
(We will not get immediate reprieve in our hospital system...One bottleneck is because we don’t have enough nurses right now.)
Hospitals' COVID-19 bed capacity is 65 percent full in the capital region while intensive care units are 70 percent occupied, David added.
"What we hear from the ground is puno pa rin more or less ang hospitals nila (hospitals are still more or less full) and that is why they are requesting for an extension of the MECQ," he said.
Metro Manila and its four surrounding provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal were placed under enhanced community quarantine last March 29 until April 11 to curb the alarming rise in new COVID-19 cases.
The quarantine classification was downgraded to MECQ starting April 12 until the end of the month.
The Philippines on Saturday logged 9,661 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 989,380, with 89,485 active infections.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/covid19-testing-increase-philippines-octa
Govt urged to hire 1 nurse per barangay to augment workforce: group
A group of healthworkers on Sunday urged the government to hire one nurse per barangay to augment the country's workforce as it continued to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Government is adding COVID-19 beds without hiring more nurse to man these, said Jocelyn Andamo, secretary general of Filipino Nurses United.
"Ang panawagan namin nung isang taon pa po, dapat merong mass hiring na libo-libo. Ang recommendation namin 1 nurse sa bawat barangay. Kaya po yun, 42,000 nurses po sana nationwide," she told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.
(We already told government that there should be mass hiring of nurses. We recommended 1 nurse per barangay. We can hire 42,000 nurses nationwide.)
"Kung mabibigyan po ng maayos, sapat at proactive na sinasabi nating makatao at just na sahod, adequate benefits at assurance po na pagka magkakasakit sila pati ang kanilang pamilya ay hindi mapapabayaan."
(If government can give enough and humane salary, adequate benefits and assurance that even if they become ill, their families will be taken care of.)
The Philippines on Saturday logged 9,661 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 989,380, with 89,485 active infections.
The DOH had noted a slight decline in new coronavirus infections in the past week, after stricter lockdowns were reintroduced in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna, and Cavite.
Hospitals around the metro earlier said they still felt overwhelmed with the number of COVID-19 cases even as government has expanded bed capacity.
PH expecting 'accelerated delivery' of COVID-19 vaccines starting May: vaccine czar
The Philippines is expecting an "accelerated delivery" of COVID-19 vaccines starting May even as global production of the jabs is seen to stabilize only in June, the country's vaccine czar said Sunday.
"Magkakaroon po tayo ng tinatawag na accelerated deliveries this coming May and June. This coming May, baka magkakaroon po tayo ng 7-8 million. Inaantay lang natin, kasi na-delay po yung sa COVAX," Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.
(We will have accelerated deliveries this coming May and June. This coming May, we are expecting 7-8 million vaccine doses. We are waiting for the supply because there was a delay in the delivery from the COVAX Facility.)
The global production and delivery of the vaccines were affected by rising COVID-19 cases in countries where these are made such as India and Europe, said Galvez.
"Just in case magkaroon tayo ng added supplies sa COVAX, aabot po bago matapos ang June, baka makakuha tayo ng more less 10-15 million," he added.
(Just in case we can get added supplies from COVAX, we may be able to secure more or less 10-15 million vaccine doses by the end of June.)
"This coming June, medyo definitive na tayo na medyo malaki ang makukuha natin. More or less 7 to 10 million (doses) ang makukuha natin," he said, including those from AstraZeneca, Gamaleya and Sinovac.
(This coming June, it's definite that we'll get a huge supply of vaccine. We'll get more or less 7 to 10 million (doses)."
Global production of vaccines is expected to stabilize by the same month, he noted.
"Ang best case scenario by end of July and August, meron na po tayong enough production."
(The best case scenario is there will be enough production of vaccines by end of July and August.)
The Philippines is negotiating with seven vaccine suppliers, Galvez said, including for an initial 6-10 million doses from Johnson and Johnson.
Of the 170 million doses the country expects to receive in total, 18-23 million are those purchased by the private sector from AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Novavax, said Galvez.
So far, the country's Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authority for the vaccine candidates of the following: Pfizer, Astrazeneca, Sinovac, Gamaleya, Johnson and Johnson, and Bharat Biotech.
It will receive its first delivery of 500,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, and an additional 500,000 doses of China's Sinovac vaccine before this month ends.
The Philippines has so far received 3.5 million vaccines, of which a million were donated by China, another million was bought from Sinovac and some 525,600 AstraZeneca jabs were from global alliance COVAX Facility.
The government aims to vaccinate a third or 50 to 70 million by end of year, Galvez said, to achieve herd containment.
The so-called NCR Plus, Cebu, and other highly-urbanized cities are prioritized as these tend to have higher virus cases, he said, adding government would still follow its priority list of sectors.
The country has so far vaccinated 1,062,609 out of 1.7 million healthworkers, some 211,000 out of 9 million senior citizens, and around 228,000 out of 14 million persons with comorbidities, according to Galvez.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/philippines-covid19-vaccine-june-2021-galvez
Public urged to only visit local community pantries: health expert
The public is urged to only visit community pantries near them, an infectious disease expert said Sunday after the health department warned that large gatherings may turn into a COVID-19 superspreader event.
The elderly and those who are sick are particularly advised against visiting community pantries, according to Dr. Eric Tayag.
"Bagama't maganda ang hangarin ng community pantry ay maaaring maging isang dahilan 'to na dumami na naman yung mga kaso natin," Tayag told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.
(While the intention of community pantries is good, it may still cause a rise in our cases.)
"Dun sa kumukuha, sana malinaw po sa inyo na maaari tayong manghawa at maaari tayong mahawa. Itanong kung dapat ba 'kong pumunta, ano ang dapat gawin at paano ako makakatulong," he added.
(To those who get goods, I hope it's clear with you that you can infect other people and you can be infected. Ask yourself if you must go, what you should do, and how you should help.)
"'Yung matatanda, baka may bilinan na lang sana. 'Yung may karamdaman, 'wag na pong sumadya d'yan."
(Maybe, the elderly can ask someone else to go. Those with an illness are advised against visiting community pantries.)
Community pantry organizers are advised to limit the number of people within a period of time, Tayag said.
"Hindi lang yung layo, pati yung dami. At least 3 or 6 feet, eh kung 1,000 (katao) naman yun, hindi rin naman maganda yun," he said.
(We should not only watch the distance between people but their numbers. Even if you observe 3 to 6 feet physical distancing, if there's 1,000 people, it would be no good.)
"Sana, 'yung community pantry, 'wag na kayong dumadayo. Halimbawa, sa Quezon City, 'yan, eh ba't naman kayong taga-Paranaque ay pupunta po ro'n? 'Yan pong community pantry, mainam po 'yan dun sa kaniya-kaniyang barangay. So, ang magtutulungan, 'yung mga sa barangay na 'yun. So, 'wag kayong dadayo po," Tayag said.
"Kung gusto n'yong magka-community pantry, eh dun sa barangay n'yo, para nang sa ganun, kilala n'yo kung sino nagbibigay, at kilala n'yo rin kung sino ang kumukuha," he added.
Those who experience COVID-19 symptoms or suspect that they were infected are urged to get tested, Tayag said.
The Department of Health on Friday advised organizers to be careful setting up community pantries, especially after throngs of people mobbed the one set up by actress and philanthropist Angel Locsin in Quezon City.
The situation went out of control due to the number of people there. A balut vendor identified as Rolando Dela Cruz died due to exhaustion.
The actress and her staff did coordinate with Barangay Holy Spirit officials to enforce the health protocols.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said pantry organizers must coordinate with the local government to ensure that health protocols are followed in a such setup.
"Kapag nagkukumpol-kumpulan ang mga tao at di natin nakikita na may physical distance among themselves at maraming nagsasalita kahit po tayo ay nasa open space maaari rin po 'yang maging superspreader event," said Vergiere.
"Kaya ang ginawa nating advice ay makipag-coordinate tayo sa local government para maisaayos po natin."
(If that many people gather together and many of them are talking and they do not observe physical distancing, even if they're in an open space, that's a recipe for a superspreader event. Our advice is to coordinate with local government to make sure queues are orderly.)
The Philippines on Saturday logged 9,661 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 989,380, with 89,485 active infections.
The DOH earlier in the day noted a slight decline in new coronavirus infections in the past week, after stricter lockdowns were reintroduced in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna, and Cavite.
Hospitals around the metro earlier said they still felt overwhelmed with the number of COVID-19 cases even as government has expanded bed capacity.
COVID-19 survivors who still experience symptoms urged to report them
Coronavirus survivors with remaining symptoms are urged to report them as they might be experiencing "long COVID," an infectious disease expert said Sunday.
These patients suffer from at least 1 symptom for 12 weeks or more, said Dr. Eric Tayag.
"Kailangan paniwalaan po natin ito...'Yung home care ngayon, sana ay hindi lang sa mga nagkakasakit. Baka pwede na rin doon sa mga may long COVID kasi sila ay nakakaranas din ng pasubok," he told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.
(We need to believe this...I hope home care can also be for those with long COVID, not just those who are currently suffering from the illness because they also face challenges.)
Studies show long COVID is more prevalent in the working class and women, Tayag said.
"Walang kinamalan kung ikaw ay severe o mild," he said.
(It doesn't matter if you had a severe or mild case.)
Long COVID patients are urged to find support groups online as these are not available yet in the country, Tayag added.
"This is a condition that can be extremely debilitating. Those suffering from it describe a varying combination of overlapping symptoms... (including) chest and muscle pain, fatigue, shortness of breath ... brain fog (and) many others," Martin McKee, a professor at the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies who led a World Health Organization-led guidance report, said of long COVID.
Hans Kluge, the WHO's European regional director, said long-COVID could have "severe social, economic, health and occupational consequences".
He urged health authorities to listen to patients' concerns, take them seriously, and establish services to help them.
- with report from Reuters
Teodoro Herbosa leaves post as UP Vice President after online flak
Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, co-lead of the University of the Philippines' (UP) COVID-19 Response Team, has resigned from his post as the University Executive Vice President.
Herbosa has tendered his resignation effective immediately due to "personal reasons," according to the state university's announcement.
UP President Danilo Concepcion accepted Herbosa's resignation, expressing regret due to the fact that the former vice president has served the university with great dedication.
"In your service as Executive Vice President, you have shown how vital this position can be to the governance of the University," said Concepcion in his letter accepting Herbosa's resignation.
Herbosa served as the University's Executive Vice President since the start of Concepcion's administration in 2017.
Herbosa was part of the UP COVID-19 Response Team which provided projections, analyses, and recommendations to aid the government's decision-making regarding COVID-19.
Herbosa's resignation came a day after he drew flak online following his "death by community pantry” tweet.
The Twitter post was Herbosa's reaction to reports of a senior citizen who died while waiting in line at a community pantry organized by actress Angel Locsin in Holy Spirit, Quezon City.
It received online backlash, prompting Herbosa to make a public apology.
"I sincerely apologize for my tweet earlier today, tagging as 'death by community pantry' news of a senior citizen's death at a community pantry of a celebrity. It may have sounded like a criticism but was ill-judged, when many are facing hardships & being helped by these kind hearted souls," he said in his Facebook post.
"I felt angry over a preventable death, & ended up issuing the tweet when I could have expressed it in a better way."
"I assure you this has nothing to do with the institution that I serve, the University of the Philippines, I have filed a leave of absence while I reflect on my actions & this misstep."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/teodoro-herbosa-leaves-post-as-ups-vice-president
Tropical storm Bising leaves PH area of responsibility: PAGASA
Tropical storm Bising left the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) early Sunday, the state weather bureau said.
The country's second storm this year was last estimated 1,315 km east of extreme Northern Luzon as of 3 a.m., moving east southeast at 25 km per hour, with maximum winds of 75 kph near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph, according to PAGASA.
The state weather bureau warned that moderate to rough seas will be experienced over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon (1.5 to 3.5 m) and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon (1.2 to 3.0 m).
Small seacrafts are advised against venturing out over these waters, it said.
Bising (international name: Surigae) has left at least 4 dead and damaged some P222 million in crops and infrastructure during its peak, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) earlier said.
Damage to infrastructure in the Bicol region and Eastern Visayas reached P10.5 million.
It entered the PAR last April 16, but did not make landfall in the country.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/tropical-storm-bising-leaves-ph-area-of-responsibility-pagasa
Sasakyan ng DPWH, pinasabugan ng hinihinalang rebeldeng grupo sa Masbate
Isang sasakyan ng Deparment of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ang pinasabugan noong Biyernes ng hinihinalang mga rebelde sa lalawigan ng Masbate, ayon sa mga awtoridad.
Isa sa apat na sakay na mga empleyado ng DPWH sa lalawigan ay sugatan matapos ang pangyayari.
Ayon sa ulat ng Bicol police, tinamaan ng shrapnel ng granada ang sasakyan sa Sitio San Jose, Brgy. Jamorawon sa bayan ng Milagros, alas tres ng hapon nitong Biyernes.
Sa mga larawang kuha ng 2nd Infantry Battalion ng Philippine Army, kita ang mga butas na tinamo ng sasakyan.
Ayon sa militar, ang nasabing pagpapasabog ay pananakot ng New People's Army sa mga mamamayan at kontraktor ng isinasagawang Road Construction Project sa nasabing lugar upang makapangikil sa pondo ng nasabing proyekto.
Mariing kinokondena ng pinuno ng 2IB na si Lt. Col. Siegfried Felipe Awichen ang nasabing karahasan.
Aniya, paiigtingin pa nila ang kanilang Community Support Program para tulungan ang mga taga-Masbate na umunlad ang kabuhayan.
Hinihintay pa ang pahayag ng DPWH sa pangyayari.
- Ulat ni Karren Canon
Saturday, April 24, 2021
PAGASA: 'Bising' weakens into tropical storm ahead of PH exit
(UPDATE) — "Bising" weakened further into a tropical storm on Saturday afternoon as it is expected to leave the country's area of responsibility in the next several hours, PAGASA said.
According to the state weather bureau's 11 p.m. bulletin, Bising (international name: Surigae) maintained its track and is forecast to exit the Philippines on Sunday morning.
The storm currently packs maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center with gusts of up to 90 kph. Its gusts had peaked at 240 kph last weekend.
At 10 p.m. Saturday, its center was spotted 1,145 kilometers (km) east of extreme Northern Luzon, moving east southeastward at 20 kph.
Bising is forecast to weaken further "due to unfavorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions."
The weather disturbance will also bring moderate to rough seas (1.5 to 3.5 meters) over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon.
"Mariners of small seacraft are advised not to venture out over these waters. Inexperienced mariners of these vessels should avoid navigating in these conditions," PAGASA warned.
The Philippines' second storm this year has killed 4 and damaged some P222 million in crops and infrastructure during its peak, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) earlier said.
Damage to infrastructure in the Bicol region and Eastern Visayas also reached P10.5 million.
The country sees around 20 tropical storms annually.
— With a report from Reuters
Construction of regional mall in Taguig still on hold
The regional mall in Taguig was supposed to be open by 2022, but construction at the site is still paused.
Owned by Ayala Malls, the Ayala Malls Arca South would be located in Arca South in Western Bicutan, Taguig.
According to a sign at the site, the mall should be open by 2022.
That won't be happening.
Work on the regional mall was delayed and when the pandemic hit, construction stopped.
There are some partly built structures and equipment on the land, but no workers have been there in months.
EU says presence of Chinese vessels endanger peace, stability in South China Sea
(UPDATE) - The European Union (EU) expressed concern over the tension caused by the presence of Chinese vessels in the disputed South China Sea.
"Tensions in the South China Sea, including the recent presence of large Chinese vessels at Whitsun Reef, endanger peace and stability in the region," the EU said in a statement.
It urged to settle the dispute through peaceful means in accordance with the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The EU invoked the 2016 Arbitration Award and expressed support for “ASEAN-led process towards an effective, substantive and legally binding Code of Conduct, which should not prejudice the interests of third parties.”
"The EU reiterates its strong opposition to any unilateral actions that could undermine regional stability and the international rules-based order. We urge all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, in particular UNCLOS, including its dispute settlement mechanisms," said the Union.
"The EU supports the ASEAN-led process towards an effective, substantive and legally binding Code of Conduct, which should not prejudice the interests of third parties. The EU urges all parties to pursue sincere efforts towards its finalization."
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has welcomed the European Union’s statement on the South China Sea.
DFA Office of Strategic Communication and Research Executive Director Ivy Banzon-Abalos said on Saturday that the statement came as as a result of a meeting between DFA Undersecretary for Policy Elizabeth Buensuceso and EU Managing Director Gunar Wiegand on Wednesday.
Tension between China and the Philippines has intensified in recent months after the the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea reported more than 240 Chinese vessels near Whitsun Reef in the disputed South China Sea.
Beijing insisted at the time that these ships were civilian fishing boats taking shelter from bad weather and that they had “no plans” to stay there permanently, but the Philippine government has asked Beijing to withdraw the boats.
Philippine foreign secretary Teodoro Locsin warned that Manila would lodge diplomatic protests every day until “the last one’s gone, like it should be by now if it’s really fishing”. - With a report from Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News
Labi ng 2 pang tripulante ng sumadsad na barko sa Surigao Del Norte, narekober
Johnson Manabat, ABS-CBN News
Natagpuan na ng search and rescue team ng Philippine Coast Guard ang labi ng dalawa pang tripulante ng sumadsad na LCT Cebu Great Ocean.
Ayon sa Coast Guard, alas-sais ng umaga noong Biyernes nang magkasunod na matagpuan ang labi nina Klint Auxtero at Limuel Dadivas sa karagatang sakop ng Barangay Oslao at Barangay Balite sa bayan ng San Francisco, Surigao del Norte.
Labi ng 2 pang tripulante ng sumadsad na LCT Cebu Great Ocean sa Surigao del Norte natagpuan na; 7 pa ang nawawala.
Labi ng 2 pang tripulante ng sumadsad na LCT Cebu Great Ocean sa Surigao del Norte natagpuan na; 7 pa ang nawawala.
— Johnson L. Manabat (@JohnsonManabat) April 24, 2021
📸: PH Coast Guard pic.twitter.com/s8YPuDHweD
Dahil dito, umabot na sa anim ang mga narekober na bangkay ng mga tripulante. Pito ang nakaligtas subalit mayroon pang pitong nawawala.
Sakay ang naturang mga tripulante ng LCT Cebu Great Ocean nang abutan ng masamang lagay ng panahon sa karagatang sakop ng Jabonga , Agusan del Sur.
Ayon sa mga nakaligtas na tripulante, hinampas ng malalaking alon ang kanilang barko hanggang sa naputol ang kadena ng angkla nito at pasukin sila ng tubig.
Nagdeklara ng "abandon ship" sa barko kaya kanya-kanyang talon sa dagat ang mga tripulante. Sumadsad naman ang barko sa baybahin ng Barangay Cantapoy, Malimono Surigao del Norte noong April 19, 2021.
Biyernes ng hapon, pansamantalang itinigil ang search and rescue operation dahil sa masamang lagay ng panahon at malalaking alon sa laot.
Kargado ang barko ng nickle ore at 2,000 litro ng diesel.
Pinamamahalaan naman ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Marine Environmental Protection Force - North Eastern Mindanao ang siphoning operations sa LCT Cebu Great Ocean.
Nag-isyu na rin ang PCG Station Surigao del Norte ng “Certificate of Salvage Inspection Number 1” sa accredited salvor nito na si Raul Basmayor, para sa salvage operation ng naturang barko.
Pangangailangan para sa mga COVID-19 home care service tumataas
Pagkauwi ni Stephen Siblag sa kanilang bahay galing sa labas, agad siyang nagpapalit ng mga damit at nagdidisinfect ng mga dalang gamit.
Gusto ni Siblag na maprotektahan ang kaniyang pamilya at maghanda sakaling may tamaan sa kanila ng coronavirus disease (COVID-19.)
Kaya sa kanilang bahay, nakahanda ang mga supply ng face mask at gloves, mga gamit sa paglilinis at disinfection, mga gamot para sa lagnat, ubo at sipon, pati na ang isolation room.
“Kailangan talaga may home care kit tayo sa bahay dahil ito ang magsisilbing maonitoring natin sa isa’t isa. We need to monitor ourselves and our family," ani Siblag.
Nananatili pa ring punuan sa mga ospital dahil sa dami ng mga pasyenteng may COVID-19, kaya tumaas ang demand para sa home care sa mga nagpopositibo.
Ang Home Care Program ng isang malaking ospital sa Pasig City, nasa 274 na pasyente na ang na-eenroll simula Marso 12. Hanggang 60 pasyente lang ang kaya nitong i-accommodate noon, pero dahil sa demand, nagdagdag sila ng kapasidad hanggang 100.
“That’s like a small hospital already, that's how many patients really need this service. All the hospitals are full ," ani The Medical City Department of Medicine chairman Ameil Cornelio Dela Cruz.
Sa ilalim ng programa, 10 araw o higit pa imo-monitor ang pasyenteng nagpositibo sa COVID-19 habang nagpapagaling ito sa kanyang bahay. Gagawin ito sa pamamagitan ng virtual consultation at face-to-face visit ng mga doktor at nurse.
Pero tanging ang mga asymptomatic at may mild o moderate symptoms ng sakit lamang, na pumasa sa clinical evaluation ng doktor, ang pasok dito.
Oras na lumala ang kondisyon ng pasyente agad itong ililipat sa ospital.
Dahil sa dami ng may gusto o di kaya’y wala nang choice kundi magpagaling sa bahay, ang home health care provider na ActivCare, nagbukas na rin ng kanilang home care program para sa mga pasyente ng COVID-19 noong isang linggo.
Sa ngayon, may 6 na COVID-19 patients na silang siniserbisyuhan.
Ayon sa palliative care specialist na si Dr. Agnes Bausa-Claudio, mas mainam kung maagang magpakonsulta ang pasyente sa pamamagitan ng pagtawag.
"We will teleconsult first before the team goes to the house. Para pagdating sa bahay, handa na ang team ano ang need ng patient, ano ang equipment na kailangan. Lesser exposure din for the team," ani Dr. Agnes Bausa-Claudio, pallative care specialist ng ActivCare Home Health Solutions Inc.
‘Yun nga lang, maging sa mga programang ito, nagkukulang na rin ng healthcare workers.
Nasa tatlo hanggang apat na team lamang ang nagsasagawa ng home care sa mga pasyenteng may COVID-19, kung saan bawat team ay may tatlong miyembro.
“There’s a limitation right now because of the lack of nurses. There are not enough nurses that would want to care for a patient at home na COVID positive," ani Bausa-Claudio.
"The time allotted for home care cannot be anticipated. Sabihin mo isang oras lang ako vivisit sa inyo. Sometimes it will take us 3 or 6 hours, especially if the case is complicated," dagdag niya.
Matrabaho rin umano ang mga home care service kaya hinimok ni Dela Cruz ang ilang ospital na gawin ang serbisyo.
"I encourage other hospitals also to do the same because right now, there’s just a few of us doing it. If there’ll be more, that will help a lot of people control this pandemic," dagdag niya.
Paalala ng mga doktor, kailangang may sariling kwarto at banyo
ang pasyente sa home care.
Kung kailangang pumasok sa kwarto ng pasyente, dapat naka-face mask at face shield at panatilihin ang isang metrong distansya. Dapat may bukod na mga gamit ang pasyente at nakahanda palagi ang pang-disinfect.
Dapat ding nakahanda ang COVID-19 home care kit na naglalaman ng mga face mask at gloves, monitoring supplies gaya ng thermometer, pulse oximeter at BP cuff, at mga gamot.
Mahalaga rin ang papel ng mga kaanak at kasama sa bahay sa pag-aalaga sa pasyente.
"We always do family meetings—before the visit, ano ang expectations at role ng team at family, during the visit, that’s another discussion, what are the things to be done," ani Bausa-Claudio.
“I think it will go on for as long as COVID is there. Marami talagang patients na ayaw magpadala sa hospitals. They are comfortable at home and they want to stay with family," dagdag niya.
Importante ring magkaroon ng COVID-19 directory o contact number ng mga doktor, ospital at COVID-19 Center ng lokal na pamahalaan.
-- Ulat ni Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News
PH records 9,661 new COVID-19 cases and nearly 23,000 new recoveries
Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News
ICU utilization rate in NCR down by 11 pct
(UPDATE) — The Philippines logged 9,661 additional COVID-19 cases and nearly 23,000 new recoveries, according to the Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday.
Saturday's fresh infections pushed the country's overall tally to 989,380 with 89,485 remaining active cases.
This is the 6th straight day that additional cases did not exceed 10,000, data collated by the ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group showed.
ABS-CBN Data Analytics head Edson Guido also said the day's active cases is the lowest since March 23.
The day's active cases is also drastically lower from last Saturday's record-high 203,000 as the DOH reported thousands of new recoveries daily this week, veering away from weekly "mass recoveries" every Sunday.
Of those still battling the disease, some 95.9 percent are experiencing mild symptoms, 1.4 percent are asymptomatic, 1.1 percent are severely ill, while 0.8 percent are in critical condition.
Recoveries climbed to 883,221 after 22,877 more patients recuperated from the respiratory disease, accounting for 89.3 percent of the country's total recorded cases.
COVID-related deaths, meanwhile, increased by 145 to 16,674.
This is the 4th straight day that new deaths counted more than 100.
Out of the 38,640 individuals who underwent testing for COVID-19 on Friday noon, 16.3 percent were found positive for the virus.
The health department noted that a total of 56 cases initially tagged as recoveries turned out to be fatalities after their final validation.
Some 21 duplicate cases were also removed from the country's overall tally. Twelve of those were recoveries, said the DOH.
Five laboratories failed to submit results on time, while a laboratory was not operational on Thursday.
ICU UTILIZATION RATE IN NCR DROPS TO 71 PCT
Based on the latest bulletin, the use of COVID-dedicated intensive care unit (ICU) beds in Metro Manila is down to 71 percent from 82 percent on Friday, or 11 points lower.
The health department is yet to respond on media's queries regarding the matter.
Isolation bed occupancy in the capital region remains at 59 percent, while ward beds and ventilators are 66 percent and 59 percent occupied, respectively.
Nationwide, ICU beds are 63 percent filled up. Isolation beds are also 48 percent utilized.
Ward beds and ventilators across the country remain 53 percent and 46 percent occupied.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier in the day noted a slight decline of new coronavirus infections in the past week, after stricter lockdowns were reintroduced in Metro Manila and four nearby provinces Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna, and Cavite — known collectively as the "NCR Plus" bubble.
Hospitals around the metro, however, have earlier said they still feel overwhelmed with the number of COVID-19 cases even as the government has expanded capacity.
In early April, the government also provided modular tents to some hospitals struggling to cope with fresh admissions due to COVID-19.
Hospital workers from the low-risk areas in the countries were also sent to the NCR Plus bubble to aid strained health facilities.
As of April 22, around 1,612,420 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered out of the 3,025,600 vaccines distributed across LGUs. The government seeks to vaccinate 70 million of the country's population to achieve herd immunity.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/24/21/covid19-cases-philippines-april242021
DOH notes slight decline in COVID-19 cases due to lockdown, monitoring continues
Further monitoring is needed even as the effects of the strict lockdown in Metro Manila and nearby provinces are starting to be felt with a slight decrease in average daily COVID-19 cases over the past week, according to the Department of Health.
In a public press briefing Saturday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said daily average cases are now at 9,556 this week, lower than the 10,858 daily cases seen the week before — attributing it to the effects of the ECQ and localized lockdowns.
However, Vergeire said this does not mean that everyone should be complacent.
She said the transmission rate has declined and average daily cases were lower this week at 9,556 from 10,858 last week.
"Pero gusto pa nating bantayan pa rin po itong nakikita natin at ayaw pa nating maging complacent tayong lahat para magpatuloy na ito sa pagbaba,” Vergeire said.
(But we still have to monitor this and we don’t want to be complacent so the cases go down further.)
The National Capital Region (NCR) Plus bubble (Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan) was previously placed under the strictest form of lockdown, the enhanced community quarantine, amid a COVID-19 surge which has overwhelmed hospitals, before shifting to a slightly lighter modified ECQ.
Even so, hospitals around the metro have said they still feel overwhelmed with the number of COVID-19 cases even as the government has expanded capacity.
Asked on whether or not strict lockdowns should persist, Vergeire said: "Siyempre po sa health side gusto po natin na strict restrictions. Pero kailangan po natin na tingnan 'yung ibang sektor kasi alam po natin na nagi-impact din sa health ang ibang sektor na ito.)
(When we talk of the health aspects, we want strict restrictions. But there are also other sectors to be considered.)
The Philippines on Friday reported 8,719 more COVID-19 cases—the 5th straight day that fresh cases were less than 10,000, while adding 14,000 recoveries.
Vergeire said the number of recoveries was expected as most of the country’s COVID-19 cases are mild or asymptomatic.
The government last week also started to tally their time-bound recovery program titled "Oplan Recovery" daily, instead of every Sunday.
Vergeire assured the public that they have placed layers in the verification process to ensure that the submitted data is accurate, such as verifying the data with local government units.
“So ang ginagawa natin ating binabalikan ang datos ng individuals from the date of the onset or from the day they tested positive. At tinitingnan po natin pagkatapos ng 14 araw o 10 araw kung ano ang estado nila," Vergeire said.
"We also have another layer where we send it to our local government, to our regional office para ma-verify ito. At 'pag bumabalik sa’tin itinatalaga na po silang recovered. So nawawala na po rito ang mga aktibong kaso at 'yung mga namatay po dahil sa COVID-19 so that is how we make sure that this is accurate,” Vergeire said.
(What we do is we look back at the data of individuals from the date of the onset or the day they tested positive. And we look at it again after 14 days, or 10 days, and check the patients’ situation. We also have another layer where we send it to our local government or regional office to verify the data. We declare these cases recovered once the data is sent back to us. This removes fatalities and active cases so that is how we make sure that this is accurate.)
The pandemic task force is set to discuss whether or not NCR and neighboring provinces should shift to looser quarantine protocols, according to Vergeire.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/24/21/ecq-ncr-bubble-covid-19-case-decrease-doh
2 patay sa magkahiwalay na krimen sa Capiz
Patay ang dalawang lalaki sa magkahiway na insidente ng pagpatay sa Capiz nitong Biyernes ng gabi.
Sa Barangay Bula sa bayan ng Mambusao, patay ang biktimang si Jose Sorio, 35, matapos pagtatagain ng dalawang hindi pa nakikilalang salarin na pumasok sa loob ng kaniyang bahay.
Agad na tumakas ang mga salarin.
Dead on arrival sa ospital ang biktima na nagtamo ng malubhang sugat sa leeg at iba’t ibang bahagi ng katawan.
Sa bayan naman ng Tapaz, patay ang isang lalaki matapos hampasin ng kahoy sa Barangay Apero.
Nakilala ang biktima na si Pedro Gabias, 45.
Sa imbestigasyon ng Tapaz Police, nakita na lamang ng isang residente na duguang nakahandusay na sa sahig ang biktima.
Kaagad na dinala sa ospital ang biktima pero idineklara itong dead on arrival matapos magtamo ng malaking sugat sa ulo.
Patuloy namang nagsasagawa ng imbestigasyon ang pulisya para mabatid ang motibo ang mga salarin sa likod ng dalawang krimen.
- Ulat ni Rolen Escaniel
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/24/21/2-patay-sa-magkahiwalay-na-krimen-sa-capiz
Community pantry on wheels umarangkada sa Surigao del Sur
MADRID, Surigao del Sur - Umarangkada na nitong Biyernes ang Pantry on Wheels sa nasabing bayan na nagaabot ng food packs sa mga nangangailangan.
Ayon sa gurong si Maurice Tajonera, inspirasyon ng kanilang grupong Team Function ang Maginhawa Community Pantry sa Quezon City kaya nakapagdesisyon din sila na gumawa nito sa kanilang bayan.
“Ang Team Function po ay inspired by Maginhawa Community Pantry in Metro Manila so naisip ko what if we will do this in our own place and good thing is napakaraming sumusuporta. In just two days, nakalikom po kami ng P11,200, 2 sacks of rice, 10 packs of juice and many others,” sabi ni Tajonera.
Imbes na ilatag lang sa isang lugar ang mga pagkaing pwedeng makuha nang libre, isa-isa nilang inihatid sa mga nadadaanan nilang traffic enforcers ang mga suplay. Pinuntahan din nila ang mga street sweeper at mga garbage collectors sa eco park.
Laman ng bawat pack ang bigas, canned goods, noodles, sugar, toothpaste, chocolate drink, juice, deodorant, suka, at toyo.
Bibisita din ang grupo sa karatig na mga bayan para mamigay ng mga pagkain sa mga labis na nangangailagan.
- Ulat ni Lorilly Charmane D. Awitan
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/24/21/community-pantry-on-wheels-umarangkada-sa-surigao-del-sur
4 Abu members, 6 supporters surrender in Sulu: military
Four members of the Abu Sayyaf Group and six of their supporters surrendered to the military on Friday in Sulu, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command (AFP Wesmincom) said.
“As a result of the joint efforts of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-1 and the intelligence units, and the collaboration of the local government and other law enforcement agencies, the Abu Sayyaf members/supporters surrendered at the headquarters of the MBLT-1 in Barangay Seit Lake Poblacion, Panamao, Sulu,” said Wesmincom commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr.
MBLT-1 Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Marvin Salvan, said the 4 ASG members handed over three M16 rifles, one M14 rifle, one caliber .45 pistol, and several magazines and ammunition. The wife of an ASG member also turned over one M1 Garand rifle to government troops.
The military said a 17-year-old girl was among the 6 supporters of the group who also turned themselves in.
The group underwent debriefing and was brought to Panamao District Hospital for a medical check.
4th Marine Brigade Commander Col. Hernanie Songano said the returnees will be turned over to their respective barangays for proper disposition. The firearms they turned over are with the custody of the marine brigade for documentation and safekeeping.
“I commend our marine troopers for this remarkable feat. Rest assured that we will continue to initiate peace mechanisms to convince the remaining ASG members to end their armed struggle without any single bloodshed,” said Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, Commander of Joint Task Force Sulu.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/24/21/4-abu-members-6-supporters-surrender-in-sulu-military
Diplomatic protests vs China must be sustained with maritime patrol over West PH Sea: expert
A maritime law expert said Saturday the Philippine government must sustain its diplomatic protests against China over the latter's illegal presence in Philippine waters through continuing maritime patrols.
“Kailangan tuloy tuloy pa rin ang pag-isyu nitong protest hanggang maging satisfied po ang Philippines na kumbaga, na-achieve na ang purpose,” said Prof. Jay Batongbacal of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea.
- TeleRadyo 24 Abril 2021
Lessons learned from 'tragic' Angel Locsin pantry
By Maria Romina Austria
It was a disaster waiting to happen.
Dr. Richard Mata, a pediatrician and a motivational speaker according to his Facebook profile, called out Angel Locsin minutes before a senior citizen fainted and eventually died during the actress’ community pantry activity in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City on Friday.
Posting photos from the event that showed people huddled, some with face shields up, he advised Locsin to stop the pantry and resume once they find a way to implement social distancing, never mind the long lines.
“Ma’am Angel Locsin, please po, pahinto niyo po ito muna. Tapos bukas uli, pero mahaba na na pila na may social distancing. Virus tayo nito. Paki fire na lang din ng organizer niyo. Dahil kayo po ang mapapahiya at ang mamamayan ang mapapahamak. Unless di po kayo naniniwala sa Covid. 'Wag po pasaway (Ma’am Angel Locsin, please put a stop to this. Resume tomorrow with longer lines but with social distancing. We have a virus situation. Please fire your organizers, too. You will be blamed for this and the citizens may be infected. Unless you don’t believe in Covid. Don’t be stubborn),” Mata posted at 10:04 a.m.
“Sa suffocation at heatstroke ka una mamatay dyan (Suffocation and heatnstroke will kill you),” he said.
At about 11 a.m., it was all over social media and news outlets that 67-year-old Rolando dela Cruz, among the thousands who hoped to get free goods from Locsin’s community pantry along Holy Spirit Drive in Don Antonio Heights, lost consciousness and was declared dead on arrival in a hospital.
Locsin, who organized the pantry to mark her 36th birthday, apologized and confirmed that dela Cruz had been in queue since 3 a.m.
She coordinated with the family and vowed to support them all the way.
Mata said he admonishes even local officials who fail to implement health protocols and he will not hesitate to do the same with celebrities.
“Titirahin din namin po kayo kahit namimigay kayo, kasi wala din po kayong disiplina. Totoo po ang Covid. Ang mga litrato na ito ang rason bakit tayo dumadami sa Pinas (We will also lash at you even if you give free goods because you lack discipline. Covid is real. These photos show why cases are rising in the Philippines),” Mata said.
Netizen Nowill Chavenia commented on Mata’s post, saying the public should at least contribute discipline in the fight against Covid-19.
“#Disiplina muna, 'yung nalang ang iambag natin. ‘Wag lahat isisi sa gobyerno dhl tayo mismo hindi magawa ang mga simpleng bagay. Isipin n’yo ‘pag nagkasakit ka kahit hindi Covid, mahirap hanapan ng hospital ngayon. Mag-isip muna tayo. Gamitin ang isip, ‘wag puro tigas ng ulo at ‘wag ipagsawalang bahala ang nangyayari ngayon. Tandaan na nasa ang huli ang pagsisisi (Let’s practice discipline first. You cannot always blame the government because we ourselves do not follow basic rules. Even if it’s not Covid, it’s hard to find a hospital that will accommodate you. Think, don’t be stubborn, and don’t disregard the situation. You might regret this in the end),” the netizen said.
Coordination needed
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año told the Philippine News Agency on Friday that what happened at Locsin’s event showed why coordination, with village officials at least, is necessary.
“It's the organizer's responsibility to impose the health standards protocol. That's the primary reason why they have to coordinate with the LGUs (local government units) so that the latter can provide assistance,” he said.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, who previously said community pantries have her full backing, still will not require permits or clearances but asked organizers "to submit a written notice to the barangay where the pantry is located, including indicating the person responsible for its operation.”
Pantry organizers and the village may coordinate regarding reasonable crowd control measures, such as setting a cut-off time for persons in a queue, limiting the number of persons served in a day or for certain periods such as morning or afternoon, and using marshals to enforce health protocols and disperse overcrowding, the city noted in a statement on Saturday.
Pantry operators are also ordered to maintain cleanliness in their immediate vicinity.
“They are also responsible for food safety. Food must be fresh or not expired, and no adulterated, spoiled or unsanitary foods shall be distributed,” Belmonte said in her directive.
Barangay Holy Spirit Chair Felicito Valmocina said Locsin’s social media invitation and poor coordination contributed to the incident.
“Her Facebook followers 21 million, in Instagram 8.6 million, in Twitter 12.6 million. So that is why all these people came over because of her post),” Valmocina said in a phone interview on Friday.
He also lamented that organizers prepared items good for just 300 people and did not anticipate that thousands may arrive.
Tough job
Twitter users @LakasNgTimog and @MacLen315 said in a post that Locsin should realize by now the tough job of running a country.
“If you can’t even manage a crowd of 1,000 during your birthday pantry, then where do you find the audacity to insult and criticize someone who’s doing his damn best to herd 110 million Pinoys?” the netizen said.
The user added the government also deals with the drug war, terrorism, unemployment, vaccination, Covid-19 cases, and insurgency, to name a few.
“Hindi namin sinasabing perpekto ang pamahalaan. Ang amin lang, maging patas kayo pumuna. Hindi madaling mamuno (We do not say the government is perfect. Just be fair with your criticisms. It’s not easy to be a leader),” the post read.
@MacLen315 said aside from good intention, community pantries also entail planning and coordination.
“Barangay lang yan, Angel Locsin. Mahirap ba ang trabaho ng President??? Siguro naman masasagot mo na yan ngayong naranasan mo na (It’s just one village, Angel Locsin. Is it hard to be a country’s President???? Maybe you can answer that yourself now that you have experienced it)," he tweeted.
Another Twitter user, @pauloMDtweets, said celebrities should learn from the incident.
“Alam naman nating celebrity si Angel Locsin and Filipinos are very fanatic sa mga artistas. Dudumugin at dudumugin yan ng mga tao kasi may artista (Angel Locsin is a celebrity and Filipinos are fanatics. People will naturally converge if there is a celebrity.) This can be a lesson for us to think ahead and plan properly to avoid unwanted incidents,” he tweeted.
@boyantingasngas tweeted Locsin should be blamed if the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) is extended beyond April 30.
“’Pag na-extend ang MECQ. ‘Pag dumami uli kaso ng Covid. Sisihin nyo si Angel Locsin. Siya ngawngawin nyo (If MECQ is extended. If Covid cases rise. Blame Angel Locsin. Rant on her),” the post read.
Praises
Just the same, Locsin also earned praises for her good intentions.
“No forgiveness needed; at least she tried to feed them; one was so starved and weak she couldn’t feed him in time. Blame those who don’t do what she and others like her – like my friends from the very start of the pandemic – are trying to do: feed the hungry and not their egos,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. tweeted.
DFA warns public vs passport scams via social media
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday reminded the public that it does not use social media, especially Facebook, in confirming passport appointments, saying this is unauthorized.
In an advisory, the DFA said passport applications can only be made through its official appointment system.
"The DFA reiterates that it does not use Facebook or any other social media network to offer or confirm passport application appointments nor it has authorized any company or individual to offer and accept passport appointment scheduling on the Department’s behalf," DFA's advisory read.
The agency did not say whether they received complaints on passport appointment offers on social media, but this development came as Metro Manila and surrounding provinces Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, and Cavite (NCR Plus) remained under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), limiting movement.
Most commercial establishments and even government agencies are shut or are operating with limited workforce under this quarantine level.
The agency also warned Filipinos that offers by unauthorized individuals and other private organizations through social media could be scams.
"Those who engage the services... run the risk of not getting an authentic appointment or issues with their passport application, aside from incurring additional expenses," the DFA noted.
"The public is strongly advised to ignore offers from these companies or individuals and to use only the official passport appointment system maintained by the DFA."
The agency also warned Filipinos that offers by unauthorized individuals and other private organizations through social media could be scams.
"Those who engage the services... run the risk of not getting an authentic appointment or issues with their passport application, aside from incurring additional expenses," the DFA noted.
"The public is strongly advised to ignore offers from these companies or individuals and to use only the official passport appointment system maintained by the DFA."
Meanwhile, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, overseas Filipino workers "and other qualified individuals," DFA said, could set their appointments through the courtesy lane facility by sending an email to their nearest consular office (CO) or through oca.cl@dfa.gov.ph.
It also urged the public to check the agency's latest advisories and their local government's announcements regarding community quarantine guidelines and entry requirements for an appointment with a CO.
The areas under NCR Plus will remain under MECQ until the end of the April.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/24/21/dfa-warns-public-no-passport-appointments-social-media
Effect of mixing, matching COVID-19 vaccine brands 'remains to be seen': expert
The leader of a non-profit group centered on vaccine information campaigns said the effects of mixing and matching various coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine brands for first and second dose shots "remains to be seen," as some developers start to investigate this process in the face of a supply shortage.
Dr. Lulu Bravo, president of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, said that while it could be harmless, specific studies are needed before mixing vaccines.
"Walang kompanya pa ang gumagawa ng pag-aaral na mini-mix ang bakuna nila sa iba, that is never done before. But now with the pandemic… Mayroon nang mga kompanya even Chinese companies and ibang kompanya nag-iisip na 'pag kulang ang bakuna at wala kang magagamit for the second dose, posibleng gumamit ka ng ibang brand at titingnan mo ngayon kung ganoon pa rin ang efficacy," Bravo said.
(No company has done studies where they mix their vaccines with others. But now with the pandemic, there are others such as Chinese companies that have been thinking about the shortage in vaccines, and they do not have enough for the second dose, you can use a different brand and we can look if the efficacy remains the same.)
Shipments of the next batch of AstraZeneca vaccines via the COVAX facility were delayed earlier in the month, as the World Health Organization said there were supply shortages in Europe. The facility recently said it was in talks to acquire other COVID-19 vaccines as supply remained short.
Reports have said AstraZeneca has been trialed with Russia's Sputnik V, while British scientists have been testing Pfizer's mRNA shot with the AstraZenca jab in a British government-funded study.
Bravo, however noted that experts may also have to note the compositions of vaccines before mixing and matching them on a patient, as it may change how effective the doses are to combat the virus.
For instance, Sinovac uses an inactive form of the COVID-19 virus for its vaccine, while other brands such as AstraZeneca use the spike protein of the virus, which generates COVID-19 antibodies.
"[Generally speaking] posible talaga na magawa ka ng ibang brand o ibang bakuna at titingnan mo ngayon kung ganon pa rin ang efficacy. Hindi naman makakasama, kaya lang 'yung efficacy, magbabago... May possibility talaga na mag-iiba, kung ang ginamit mo ang ibang bakuna - posibleng magdagdag, posible ring bumaba or posibleng the same, it remains to be seen. Pero hindi masama kung makakaiba ka o makakabago," Bravo said.
(It can be possible to use another brand. It will not do harm in my opinion. However, the efficacy may change if you use a different vaccine. It may decrease, it can increase. But I think it will not do harm if you try.)
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. was said to be mulling the purchase of booster shots from Moderna.
But whether or not these booster shots may be mixed with other vaccine brands should "be intensively studied."
"Unfortunately wala pa tayong nakikitang datos tungkol dito but I would really speculate na mukhang posibleng mangyari and may maaaring magandang outline pero kung gagawin nila mas dapat ipakita ang antibodies na ipo-produce, is it the same or will it increase? It remains to be seen," Bravo said.
(Unfortunately we have not seen enough data for this. But I would really speculate that it can happen and there may be a good outline. But if they do it, they should take note of the antibodies that will be produced, like is it the same? Or will it increase? It remains to be seen.)
As of April 22, around 1,612,420 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered out of the 3,025,600 vaccines distributed across LGUs. The government seeks to vaccinate 70 million of the country's population to achieve herd immunity.
The government received 500,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines last Thursday but has yet to distribute these to local government units, who have pointed out that they are running out of vaccine jabs for their residents.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/24/21/effectivity-mix-match-covid-19-vaccines
PAGASA: 'Bising' further weakens over Philippine Sea on way out of PH
Severe Tropical Storm Bising on Saturday morning continued to weaken over the Philippine Sea, as the storm is expected to leave the country in the next several hours, the state weather bureau said.
In its 11 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA forecast the weather disturbance to leave the country's area of responsibility on Sunday morning.
"Bising," which has killed 4 and left millions worth of agricultural damage during its peak, was bound to further weaken due to "unfavorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions," according to the agency.
It currently packs maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center with gusts of up to 115 kph. Its gusts had peaked at 240 kph last weekend.
The country's second storm was last spotted 1,005 kms east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon, and is moving east southeastward at 15 kph, said PAGASA.
"Tropical cyclone winds of at least strong breeze to near gale in strength extend outward up to 500 km from the center of the severe tropical storm," the latest bulletin noted.
All tropical cyclone wind signals across the country have also been lifted by the weather agency.
PAGASA still warned of moderate to rough seas (1.5 to 3.5 meters) over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon in the next 24 hours due to Bising's lingering presence.
"Mariners of small seacraft are advised not to venture out over these waters. Inexperienced mariners of these vessels should avoid navigating in these conditions," the bulletin read.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the cost of damage to agriculture such as rice, corn and high-value crops due to Bising was estimated at P211.6 million.
Damage to infrastructure in the Bicol region and Eastern Visayas also reached P10.5 million.
The Philippines sees around 20 tropical storms annually.
— With a report from Reuters
Ilang pasyente sa NKTI sa tent naghihintay dahil puno pa rin ang ospital
Nilinaw ng National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) nitong Sabado ng umaga na nasa loob pa rin ng ospital at hindi sa labas nananatili ang kanilang mga pasyente.
Ito’y sa kabila ng mga lumabas na larawan ng mga pasyenteng nakahiga na sa sahig at sa labas na natutulog ang ilang pasyente.
Ayon kay Dr. Rose Marie Liquete, executive director ng NKTI, may tent at covered ang lugar kung saan nakapwesto ang mga pasyente.
“Hindi sila nasa labas ng NKTI, naglagay kami ng mga tent doon. Pero dahil nga rin puno na rin ang aming COVID room, ‘di namin sila maaakyat agad. Hindi sila nasa labas. Nasa tent sila which is in our driveway. Ang marami doon nasa wheelchair. Siguro noong gabi na 'yun, mahirap naman talaga matulog sa wheelchair, naglagay sila ng mahihigaan nila,” sabi niya sa panayam sa TeleRadyo.
Dagdag niya na ilan sa mga naghihintay sa tent ay mga pasyenteng hinihintay ang resulta ng kanilang swab test.
Dumagsa rin sa NKTI ang mga dialysis patients dahil marami aniyang free-standing dialysis centers ang hindi na tumatanggap ng pasyente.