ALL AVAILABLE ASTRAZENECA SHOTS WILL NOW BE USED AS FIRST DOSE FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte approved Friday the recommendation to use all available doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to be given as a first dose to frontline healthcare workers.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque floated the idea of using the 525,600 doses the Philippines received from the World Health Organization-led COVAX facility to get more people vaccinated and address the problem posed by the shorter shelf life of the doses.
“The president has approved the request to utilize all onhand COVAX-donated AstraZeneca vaccine doses as first dose vaccination in order to protect a larger number of frontline healthcare workers in areas witnessing increased transmission,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said, quoting a memorandum from Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
Duque and vaccination czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said at a meeting of the task force against COVID-19 on Monday that the second AstraZeneca vaccine dose can be administered within 12 weeks of the first dose and that new stocks of the vaccine would be available by then.
The country’s vaccination program has been criticized for its slow pace, with only 269,593 medical frontliners and health workers getting inoculated more than a month since it started.
NO, SENIORS CAN’T GET SINOVAC JAB – FDA
MANILA — Sinovac vaccines cannot be given to senior citizens unless the manufacturer proves that it is safe for them, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reiterated yesterday.
FDA director general Eric Domingo said the emergency use authorization (EAU) of Sinovac indicates that its CoronaVac jabs against COVID-19 are to be administered only to those aged 18 to 59.
On allowing its use by older recipients, Domingo said: “Of course it will be up to the manufacturer and the distributor of Sinovac to provide data that will show that they have tried it in people who are above 60 years old and that it is safe for them to use it.”
His statement comes on the heels of national vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr.’s announcement that up to nine million senior citizens will be given Sinovac jabs next month.
Meanwhile, Domingo reported that two local companies have emailed separate Letters of Intent for EUA for Sinopharm’s COVID-19 vaccines.
“We replied to both and we gave them the list of requirements. So far, none of them have replied. Officially, none of them have filed an application (for EUA yet),” he said.
The FDA chief added that they have separate discussions with Moderna and Janssen of Johnson & Johnson.
Both have expressed interest to seek EUA for their COVID-19 vaccines and were given the same list of documentary requirements by the FDA.
IATF SHUTS DOWN CINEMAS, ARCADES, MUSEUMS FOR 2 WEEKS IN GCQ AREAS
MANILA — The inter-agency task force leading the country’s COVID-19 response has approved the 2-week closure of several industries in areas under general community quarantine to curb a surge in coronavirus infections, Malacañang said on Friday.
The operations of the following industries in GQQ areas will be closed from March 19 to April 4, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in a press briefing
Driving schools
Traditional cinemas
Videos and interactive game arcades
Libraries
Archives
Museums
Cultural events
Limited social events
Limited tourist attractions, except open-air tourist attractions
Malacañang on Friday ordered offices of the executive branch to limit their operating capacity from between 30 and 50 percent in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) until early April, as the country battles a surge in coronavirus infections.
The IATF only allowed the reopening of traditional cinemas, arcades and driving schools in mid-February.
Meetings, conferences and exhibitions will be limited to essential business gatherings at 30 percent capacity of venues in GCQ areas, said Roque.
Religious gatherings will also be limited to 30-percent venue capacity, provided that there is no objection from local governments, he said.
Local governments are given discretion to let religious gatherings fill up to 50 percent of a venue's seating capacity, based on the conditions in their areas, Roque said.
The maximum venue capacity of dine-in restaurants, cafes, personal care services will also be lowered to 50 percent, he said.
National government agencies are urged to postpone non-critical activities that will result to mass gatherings, he said.
Cockfighting and cockpit operations are suspended in GCQ areas and those under modified GCQ, the loosest of 4 lockdown levels, Roque added.
GROUPS URGE GOV’T TO MOVE TEACHERS UP IN PRIORITY LIST FOR COVID-19 VACCINATION
MANILA — At least 33 education, business and medical groups are urging the government to move teachers up the priority list for COVID-19 vaccinations, which they say will allow teachers to teach in person and schools to finally reopen.
The groups, which include the Philippine Pediatric Society, said in a position paper that teachers must be moved two spots up the priority list from B1 to A4 so they can be vaccinated alongside non-medical frontline personnel in essential sectors.
Currently, teachers and social workers would have to wait until after frontline health workers, senior citizens, people with comorbidities, frontline personnel in essential sectors and the indigent population are vaccinated before they get their shots.
“The prioritization of teacher and education personnel is the common standard internationally,” the groups said, pointing out that the United States, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Indonesia, Singapore and Cambodia have prioritized teachers in their COVID-19 vaccination drive.
They added that vaccinating teachers would boost confidence in reopening schools, which have remained shuttered for over a year in the Philippines.
This, they said, has resulted in the regression of learning in the country, with around 2.7 million elementary students not enrolling this current school year and students only exhibiting around six years of proficiency despite the 12-year basic education system.
GROUP SAYS HEALTH WORKERS FEELING BRUNT OF COVID-19 VIRUS SURGE, 'LOSING HOPE'
MANILA - The Filipino Nurses United (FNU) on Saturday said the situation of health care workers now has gotten much worse than at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as they faced a fresh infection surge that has exceeded single-day case reports from last year's peak.
“It’s much worse. Nakakawala nang pag-asa, wala nang gana. Marami nang nag-abroad, hindi naman natin sila masisisi kasi even throughout the year marami kaming calls pero parang wala namang natugunan 'yung government and ito na naman, mas mataas pa 'yung bilang kaysa sa mga nauna,” said nurse Jaymee de Guzman, FNU's national treasurer.
The Philippines on Friday had 7,103 new COVID-19 cases, the highest recorded daily tally since the pandemic began a year ago. This raised the country’s total number of infections to 648,066.
“Ramdam namin ang numbers na 'yan. We feel it in the hospital kaso talagang punong-puno na kami, pati mga empleyado nag-positive.
Ironic pa, nung nabakunahan saka pa dumami 'yung positive patients,” De Guzman said.
De Guzman said they are experiencing again a shortage in personal protective equipment like face shields, and also confronting understaffing issues as many have decided to leave for work abroad and others have tested positive for the virus.
They have also yet to receive benefits promised to them by the government.
“Mas harder sa amin, so walang motivation talaga nakaka-demoralize. Kahit with a heavy heart at pagod na katawan namin, we continue to serve,” she added.
ARMY, BIFF CLASH IN MAGUINDANAO
COTABATO CITY — Soldiers and members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters twice fought in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao Thursday, causing panic among residents.
Army officials and community leaders said the hostilities were provoked by the BIFF to stir an impression that it has not been weakened by loses in recent encounters with the military in central Mindanao’s adjoining North Cotabato and Maguindanao provinces.
The latest provocations by the outlawed BIFF, operating in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, followed the surrender of 22 members to the 6th Infantry Division in separate events in the past three weeks.
Two terrorists, Kamid Sangid and Malik Samsudin, were reportedly killed in the first of Thursday’s two Army-BIFF encounter in Barangay Kitangao in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, located in the second district of Maguindanao.
Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, said Friday they cannot confirm that the BIFF had two fatalities without actual cadaver count.
“We don’t have actual count of enemy cadavers but the reports from the local communities about that are so persistent,” Uy said.
The Army-BIFF encounter on Thursday morning was followed by another gunfight in the same barangay that waned only when members of the ISIS-inspired group ran out of ammunition and scampered away.
THE REST
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HIGHEST EVER: PH REPORTS RECORD-HIGH 7,103 NEW COVID-19 CASES
MANILA — The Philippines on Friday reported 7,103 new COVID-19 cases, the highest recorded daily tally in the country since the pandemic began over a year ago, with the number of active infections also at its highest in nearly 7 months.
This raises the country’s total number of infections to 648,066.
The day’s figure is considered the highest ever since the coronavirus outbreak hit the country, surpassing the previous record of 6,958 cases announced by the Department of Health (DOH) on Aug. 10 last year.
Friday’s tally still does not include results from 5 accredited laboratories after failing to submit data on time.
This is also the first time and the second-straight day that new COVID-19 cases exceeded 5,000, according to the ABS-CBN Data Analytics team.
Active cases reached 73,264, with 97.3 percent of those still battling the disease experiencing mild symptoms or are asymptomatic
The health department logged 13 more COVID-related deaths. The country’s death toll due to the virus stood at 12,900.
COVID-19 curfew violators penalized with workout
Curfew violators gathered in a covered court are made to exercise as punishment as the government imposes curfew hours across Metro Manila in response to the surge of COVID-19 cases, in Manila on Saturday. The OCTA Research group on Friday called on the government to implement more mobility restrictions, saying localized lockdowns currently being implemented for specific areas is not enough to curb the virus spread.
175 VOLCANIC QUAKES IN TAAL VOLCANO IN PAST 24 HOURS — PHIVOLCS
TALISAY (The Filipino Connection) — A total of 175 volcanic quakes were recorded at the Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Saturday.
Phivolcs also recorded 131 volcanic tremor episodes lasting for 1 to 15 minutes.
Moderate emission of steam-laden plumes rising 80 to 100 meters high was also observed at the main crater.
The sulfur dioxide emitted averaged 603 tonnes per day.
The main crater lake had temperature highs of 71. 8 degrees Celsius was registered on March 4 and a ph level of 1.59 on February 12.
State volcanologists said Taal Volcano’s landscape has been changing since the January 2020 eruption where instruments recorded a “very slow and steady inflation and expansion.”
These parameters may indicate increased magmatic activity at shallow depths beneath the edifice,” Phivolcs said in its 8 a.m. on Saturday.
The volcano remains on Alert Level 2, where volcanologists warned it is possible to have sudden steam driven or phreatic eruptions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ash fall and accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas.
QUEZON CITY INFECTION RATE LOW AMONG METRO LGUS’
MANILA — Quezon City’s COVID-19 infection rate is still among the lowest in Metro Manila if the entire population of the city is taken into account, Mayor Joy Belmonte said yesterday.
While the city leads the list of local government units (LGUs) in terms of absolute figures, Belmonte said assessments should take into account the fact that the city has three million residents.
“It is important for us to review the numbers in relation to the population of the city,” said Belmonte. “Given that our city is the most populous, an increase in numbers does not automatically translate to high numbers of infection throughout our population.”
Based on the latest report of the OCTA Research Group, Quezon City recorded an average of 443 new cases per day from March 10 to 16.
This translates to an infection rate of 14.2 percent per 100,000 people, the 10th among the 17 LGUs in Metro Manila.
Leading the list is Pasay City with 44.7 percent, followed by Makati at 27.4 percent, Navotas, 23.5; Marikina, 19.2; Malabon, 19; Mandaluyong, 18; Parañaque, 17.3; Manila, 17.2; and Pasig, 17.
OCTA fellow Guido David said the daily increases must always be monitored with respect to the number of inhabitants in an area in order to properly identify the infection.
“While Quezon City tops the list of cities with the most number of daily new cases, if we compare it to their population, the cases have not truly affected a large number of residents,” he said.
SWS: 65 PCT OF FILIPINOS SAY IT'S DANGEROUS TO PUBLISH CRITICAL NEWS VS DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION
MANILA - Majority or 65 percent of Filipinos agree that it is dangerous to broadcast or print anything critical of President Rodrigo Duterte's administration, a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed Friday.
This as the administration saw a shutdown of a major broadcast network and arrests, prosecution and red tagging of journalists.
The survey, conducted from Nov. 21 to 25 last year, also found that less than a fifth (16 percent) of Filipinos disagreed with the statement: “It is dangerous to print or broadcast anything critical of the administration, even if it is the truth." Meanwhile, 18 percent were undecided.
The responses have a net agreement score of +49, considered by the pollster as "strong."
This net score increased by 28 points from the +21 reported in July 2020 which was "moderate," it pointed out.
Such sentiment was most prevalent in Mindanao, with a net agreement of +58. It was followed by Visayas with +55, Balance Luzon with +47, and Metro Manila with +30.
Compared to the July 2020 poll, SWS said the net agreement "rose sharply" in Mindanao and in Visayas. The net agreement also increased in Balance Luzon and in Metro Manila.
Belief that critical reporting on the Duterte administration is dangerous rose to +58 from +28 in Mindanao, and +55 from +26 in Visayas.
It also rose from +16 to +47 in Balance Luzon and from +16 to +30 in Metro Manila.
FIRE IN CORINTHIAN GARDENS LEAVES 5 DEAD, 3 INJURED
MANILA — Five people died and three others were injured early Saturday after a fire broke out in an upscale residential area in Quezon City.
According to The STAR, the fire razed a home in Corinthian Gardens Subdivision, Barangay Ugong Norte.
A separate GMA News report identifies the victims as members of the Yu family.
The Bureau of Fire Protection is quoted in the same report as saying the fire started on the house's second floor and reached second alarm.
BFP-QC chief of operations Fire Chief Inspector Joseph Del Mundo said the house was secured by grills and windows were doubly thick, making it difficult for firemen to enter. Further impediments were the dark and the lack of emergency light.
The fire was put out by 5:25 a.m. and no other houses were affected.
While fire authorities have not yet identified the cause of the fire, they said the damage wrought may cost up to P50 million.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
KIM CHIU, ANGEL LOCSIN, IZA CALZADO LEAD WINNERS AT PUSH AWARDS 2020
Kim Chiu, Angel Locsin, and Iza Calzado led the list of winners at the PUSH Awards 2020, which honored celebrities who provided inspiration amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The three Kapamilya actresses were handed the PUSH Inspiration citation for their contribution and courage amid adversity last year.
On Instagram, PUSH highlighted Locsin’s philanthropic efforts helping Filipinos affected by the pandemic and calamities that hit the country last year.
Chiu was recognized for spreading good vibes despite being heavily criticized because of her “Bawal Lumabas” statement. The “It’s Showtime” host also won the PUSH Fitspiration award.
Calzado was honored for her inspiring story as a COVID-19 survivor and helping another patient by donating plasma.
Here are the winners of the PUSH Awards 2020:
PUSH Fitspiration - Kim Chiu
PUSH Popular BL Couple - Tony Labrusca and JC Alcantara for Hello Stranger
PUSH Breakthrough Star of 2020 - Charlie Dizon
PUSH Music Personality - Daniel Padilla
PUSH Popular Digital Star - Alex Gonzaga
PUSH Trending Tiktoker - Mimiyuuuh
PUSH Popular Love Team - Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber
PUSH Inspiration - Angel Locsin, Kim Chiu and Iza Calzado
SPORTS
NBA SCORES MARCH 18
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Jazz 29-11 20 26 36 40 122
Wizards 15-25 31 33 36 31 131
SCORING LEADERS
D. Mitchell UTA
42 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST
B. Beal WAS
43 PTS, 2 REB, 5 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Thunder 17-24 21 20 26 26 93
Hawks 21-20 31 30 30 25 116
SCORING LEADERS
S. Gilgeous-Alexander OKC
19 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST
T. Young ATL
23 PTS, 6 REB, 9 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Magic 13-27 26 18 22 27 93
Knicks 21-21 24 21 27 22 94
SCORING LEADERS
E. Fournier ORL
23 PTS, 1 REB, 4 AST
A. Burks NY
21 PTS, 10 REB, 2 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Timberwolves 10-31 25 28 30 40 123
Suns 26-13 25 33 33 28 119
SCORING LEADERS
A. Edwards MIN
42 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST
D. Booker PHO
35 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Pelicans 17-24 23 25 22 23 93
Trail Blazers 24-16 31 26 20 24 101
SCORING LEADERS
Z. Williamson NO
26 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST
D. Lillard POR
36 PTS, 6 REB, 0 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Hornets 20-20 24 21 34 26 105
Lakers 28-13 31 29 23 33 116
SCORING LEADERS
L. Ball CHA
26 PTS, 5 REB, 7 AST
L. James LAL
37 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 48.62
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose. - Bill Gates
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