IATF ISSUES NEW QUARANTINE, TESTING PROTOCOLS AMID FEARS OF OMICRON VARIANT
MANILA — The country’s pandemic task force has issued new protocols for arriving travelers from countries or territories not on the government’s Red List.
The country issued the new guidelines amid fears of the Omicron coronavirus variant that has been detected in several countries. The Philippines has also closed its borders to several countries, as additional protocol.
The new guidelines took effect on December 3, acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said in a statement late Thursday night.
Fully vaccinated travelers should have a negative RT-PCR test result, taken within 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin.
Upon arriving in the Philippines, they will undergo facility-based quarantine and undergo another RT-PCR test on the fifth day since their arrival. “Regardless of a negative result, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine up to the 14th day from the date of arrival,” Nograles added.
Partially vaccinated, those who have yet to be jabs or whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated are required to present a negative RT-PCR test result, taken within 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin.
They will likewise be subjected to facility-based quarantine and take another RT-PCR test on the seventh day from their arrival. Even if they receive a negative test result, they are required to finish their quarantine at home up to the 14th day from their arrival.
Nograles also said the Department of Transportation has been tasked to ensure that only passengers who comply with the requirement of negative RT-PCR result prior to travel are allowed to board their flights.
Minors meanwhile will follow the testing and quarantine protocol of the parent or guardian traveling with them, regardless of the child’s vaccination status and country of origin, Nograles added.
International passengers who have already arrived and undergoing quarantine shall continue testing and other protocols in place at the time of their arrival.
REINFECTIONS THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY WITH OMICRON — SOUTH AFRICAN RESEARCH
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — A preliminary study by South African scientists published Thursday suggests the Omicron variant is three times more likely to cause reinfections compared to the Delta or Beta strains.
The findings, based on data collected by the country's health system, provides the first epidemiological evidence about Omicron's ability to evade immunity from prior infection.
The paper was uploaded on a medical preprint server and has not yet been peer-reviewed.
There were 35,670 suspected reinfections among 2.8 million individuals with positive tests until November 27. Cases were considered reinfections if they tested positive 90 days apart.
"Recent reinfections have occurred in individuals whose primary infections occurred across all three waves, with the most having their primary infection in the Delta wave," tweeted Juliet Pulliam, director of the South African DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis.
Pulliam cautioned that the authors did not have information about the individuals' vaccination status and therefore could not assess to what extent Omicron evades vaccine-induced immunity. The researchers plan to study this next.
US ARMY KEEN TO EXPAND SOUTHEAST ASIA ACCESS AMID CHINA WORRIES
WASHINGTON — The US Army is keen to expand its access and basing arrangements in Southeast Asia as part of a strategy to deter China, the secretary of the army said on Wednesday.
Christine Wormuth told a Washington think tank such a posture shift was in the interests of both the United States and its allies and partners in the region, but there was a need to be "realistic about what is possible."
She said positioning US military equipment in Asia had been heavily oriented towards Northeast Asia.
"There is very much a desire to be able to expand our access and basing arrangements more into Southeast Asia, because if we were able to do that, we would have a more dispersed posture that would give us much more flexibility," she told the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
"It is very much in our interests and in the interest of our allies and partners, to explore how we can shift that posture over time," she said, while adding:
"But my own view is that we need to be realistic about what is possible and as we look at the operational challenges we need to have realistic assumptions about the locations from where we might be able to operate."
The top diplomat for East Asia, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Kritenbrink, is currently in Southeast Asia in the latest visit by a senior US official.
Wormuth did not say where the army is interested in expanding its access but said progress with the Philippines in renewing an agreement allowing the rotational presence of US troops had been very important.
PH TO RECEIVE 4 MILLION SYRINGES FOR MRNA VACCINES
MANILA—The Philippines is set to receive some 4 million syringes needed to administer COVID-19 vaccinations, a health official said Friday, as the country ramps up inoculation to protect more Filipinos from the disease.
National Vaccination Operations Center and Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said this was part of the country's procurement of 44 million syringes from the United Nations Children's Fund.
"Mga 4 million out of the 44 million ang ide-deliver by transit starting today and yesterday. I will check kung may nakarating na kagabi," she told TeleRadyo.
The 0.3ml syringe is specifically used to administer mRNA-type vaccines, such as Pfizer and Moderna's COVID-19 shots.
Due to global shortage of syringes, Cabotaje said the delivery of ancillary supplies was delayed. The shipments were supposed to arrive in the country on Nov. 22 and 29, she added.
US ANNOUNCES ANOTHER CASE OF CORONAVIRUS OMICRON VARIANT
Health authorities in the midwestern US state of Minnesota announced Thursday they had found another case of the Omicron coronavirus variant on American soil, this time in a man with no known recent international travel history.
Like the first identified US case in California, the patient was vaccinated, and had mild symptoms from which he has now recovered. Minnesota officials said he had also received a booster.
He returned to the Minneapolis area from an anime convention in New York City, held November 19-21, before developing symptoms on November 22 and getting tested two days later.
INDIA ANNOUNCES FIRST 2 CASES OF OMICRON CORONAVIRUS VARIANT
India announced its first 2 cases of the Omicron COVID variant Thursday, months after a devastating wave of the virus killed more than 200,000 people around the country.
Top health ministry official Luv Agarwal said two men in southern Karnataka state, aged 66 and 46, had tested positive for the variant.
"As per the protocols all their primary and secondary contacts have been traced and are being tested," he told a press briefing.
OMICRON COULD LEAD TO TIGHTER RESTRICTIONS FOR TRAVELERS: GOV
MANILA – Local government units may impose stricter measures in their areas amid the threat of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the head of the League of Provinces of the Philippines said Friday.
Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco said LGUs have the power to impose “reasonable regulations” to protect their constituents from COVID-19.
“So the LGUs have the power to impose reasonable regulations, especially on the entry of people to their territories,” he said in an interview on ANC's Rundown.
“We issue executive orders to impose additional safeguards so with respect to foreign travelers, there would be some more safeguards, like possibly they’ll be required to undergo the RT-PCR testing, and that they be subjected to medical assessment or examination upon arrival in the territory of the particular LGU."
“We also prescribe that they be confined to their hotels or lodging places when they are in the LGU. Sometimes we closely monitor also their activities and we tell them that if they experience symptoms. Then they are required to report the same to our doctors.”
Velasco said these restrictions may be imposed on top of the testing and quarantine guidelines for arriving international passengers released by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Against COVID-19 Thursday.
ROBREDO CAMPAIGN CLAIMS POSTERS, TARPS BEING TAKEN DOWN
MANILA — The office of Vice President Leni Robredo claimed that posters and tarpaulins in support of her presidential bid were taken down in the cities of Masbate and Zamboanga, even though they were placed on private property.
In a statement on Thursday, Robredo’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said they received reports from the vice president’s supporters from Zamboanga City that their tarpaulins, posters and ribbons were removed from Wednesday evening to Thursday morning.
The alleged taking down of tarps, posters and ribbons came before President Rodrigo Duterte came to Zamboanga City.
The Youth for Leni chapter in Zamboanga City posted on Facebook that campaign materials for Robredo were taken down, including a tarpaulin erected on a private property near the airport.
"Aren’t all these signs of suppression and oppression? Aren’t we supposed to practice tolerance and freedom of expression regardless of political color?" Youth for Leni – Zamboanga City said.
Gutierrez said they also received complaints from Robredo’s supporters in Masbate City who said their posters and tarpaulins were removed on the eve of her visit to the city on Tuesday.
“This is a violation of the right of all Filipinos to freely express their support for a candidate and should not be done by anyone, especially in a democratic country like the Philippines,” Gutierrez said in Filipino.
PHILIPPINES TO OFFER BOOSTER SHOTS TO ALL ADULTS BEGINNING DEC. 3
MANILA — The Philippines is expanding eligibility for COVID-19 boosters to all adults who have received a single-dose vaccine at least three months ago and those who have received a two-dose vaccine at least six months ago.
The Department of Health announced Thursday that the government will be offering another COVID-19 shot to all fully-vaccinated adults aged 18 years old and above beginning December 3.
The decision to offer booster doses to all eligible adults comes on the heels of the Food and Drug Administration’s approval last Monday of giving another coronavirus jab to those 18 and above.
GOVERNMENT WARNS PUBLIC VS GIVING FUNDS TO CPP-NPA
MANILA — The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) yesterday warned the public, including politicians, against providing money and material support to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)/New People’s Army (NPA)/National Democratic Front (NDF).
The ATC has declared the three groups as terrorist organizations under ATC Resolution Nos. 12 and 21 pursuant to provisions of Republic Act No. 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA).
“Thus, the public must immediately report any coercive or illegal fund collection by the communist terrorists as these terrorism financing activities sustain the violent agenda of the CPP-NPA-NDF that disregards not only our country’s laws but also human life, public safety, and right over property,” the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) said.
The AMLC warned that under Section 12 of the ATA, any person who provides material support to a terrorist person or organization is liable as principal and shall suffer the penalty of life imprisonment.
'OUSTED' PFP CHAIR FILES PETITION AGAINST MARCOS CANDIDACY
MANILA — Abubakar Mangelen, who identified himself as a former chairman of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, filed a petition for declaration of nullity of the Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance, and consequent disqualification of presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Marcos is standard-bearer of the PFP after the party named him its chairman in October.
In his petition filed before the Commission on Elections late Thursday, Mangelen argued that the CONA of Marcos is "unauthorized, defective, invalid, and void" , as is the party's endorsement of him as its standard-bearer.
This was because, he claimed, Marcos' CONA issued by the party was attached "sans his knowledge, participation, concurrence, and signature."
"The matter of [endorsement] by some officers of PFP came as a big shock and surprise to petitioner and substantial number of officers and members," the petition reads.
"As a matter of fact, the party officers from Lanao del Norte and other areas who were not consulted nor notified like petitioner of any meeting or convention complained of their replacement as such officers without due process."
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PGH RECORDS LOWEST NUMBER OF COVID PATIENTS IN A YEAR
MANILA - The Philippine General Hospital has recorded its lowest number of virus patients in more than a year, its spokesman said Friday.
The country's largest COVID-19 referral center now only has 54 confirmed virus patients, according to Dr. Jonas del Rosario. It was able to close 3 of its 4 COVID-19 wards and open these to non-virus patients, he said.
"The one good news I was the told, for the last 2 days we have not admitted anybody with COVID. Our numbers are continuously going down," he told ANC's Headstart.
"Double digit numbers are really a rare occurrence in PGH and who knows maybe in the next few days or weeks we will be down to the 20s, and that’s good news because we can now open our hospital to non-COVID patients."
Del Rosario attributed the decline in virus cases to herd immunity achieved in Metro Manila. At least 50 percent of the capital region's eligible population has been fully vaccinated, authorities earlier said.
"I think that’s a big part of it, a lot of people got vaccinated. I’m sure there are also a lot of people who got COVID...they developed natural immunity. I would say it’s really the herd immunity we achieved for the last 3-4 months," he said.
Government is urged to increase health workers' salary and invest in medical facility infrastructures as preparation, according to Del Rosario.
"We might have all the equipment, all the rooms, if we do not have the people to man the hospital then we’re still limited to the number of patients we can take care of," he said.
"Maybe now that there’s this lull, maybe we can look into dedicating a big hospital maybe like what Wuhan did. Try to identify or make a hospital for this crisis, for a pandemic, so even if it happens you already have a hospital."
The Philippines has fully vaccinated 36.9 individuals, while 51.8 million others have received an initial dose as of Wednesday, according to data gathered by the ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group.
QUARANTINE BUREAU KAILANGAN NG DAGDAG NA TAUHAN BAGO MAG-PASKO
MAYNILA—Humihingi ang Bureau of Quarantine ng dagdag na tauhan para bantayan ang mga papasok ng bansa ngayong Pasko sa kabila ng banta ng Omicron COVID-19 variant.
Ayon kay Dr. Neptali Labasan, senior quarantine officer ng BOQ, mas magiging malawak ang kanilang pagmo-monitor sa darating sa bansa.
"Medyo 'yung personnel namin ay kulang. Parati po nating nirerequest po sa kanila sana naman ay dagdagan," aniya sa panayam sa TeleRadyo Biyernes.
"'Pag may tinamaan po sa hanay po natin, hindi pupuwedeng mapilit na pumasok 'yun dahil talagang naka-quarantine po sila. Wala hong papalit sa kanila."
Sinabi ni Labasan na nakararanas na ng fatigue ang mga tauhan sa BOQ dahil magda-dalawang taon na itong nakabantay sa mga port at airport laban sa COVID-19. Ito'y kahit aniya tinutulungan na sila ng ibang ahensiya.
Dahil sa banta ng Omicron variant, nasa 64 katao ang binabantayan ng BOQ na galing sa red-list countries.
"So far, wala pang nagpapakita ng sintomas ng COVID sa kanila," ani Labasan.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
'NO ONE SAW IT COMING': LUIS MANZANO CONFIRMS EDU, CHERRY PIE PICACHE RELATIONSHIP
MANILA — Kapamilya TV host Luis Manzano confirmed the relationship of his father Edu Manzano to actress Cherry Pie Picache.
In his recent interview with G3 San Diego, Luis said that they were caught off guard on the relationship of the “Marry Me, Marry You” co-stars.
“Kung maibabalik ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN next year, baka si Daddy at Tita Pie, itapat sa KathNiel,” Luis joked.
“Sobrang we were caught off guard. No one saw it coming. I don’t even think Dad and Tita Pie saw it coming,” he added.
Luis said that a friend of him sent a photo with his dad Edu and Cherry Pie.
“I think a friend of mine took a picture with them and he sent me a picture. He was with Daddy and Tita Pie. Date night yata sila. So I sent the picture back to Daddy. I said, ‘Uy daddy, happy boy ka.’ Sabi niya, ‘Yes anak, happy',” Luis said.
“It would boil down to the same thing, kung paano niya nirerespeto ang kanyang kasama. That’s one thing na nakikita ko kay Daddy. How he takes care of his partner talaga. Nakikita ko rin naman how happy he is with Tita Pie,” he added.
SPORTS
NBA SCORES DEC 1
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Hawks12-10 38 27 22 27 114
Pacers9-15 29 28 31 23 111
GAINBRIDGE FIELDHOUSE, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
SCORING LEADERS
T. Young ATL
33 PTS 8 REB 10 AST
M. Brogdon IND
27 PTS 6 REB 9 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Nuggets10-11 29 34 20 20 103
Magic5-18 15 32 32 29 108
AMWAY CENTER, ORLANDO, FL
SCORING LEADERS
M. Morris DEN
22 PTS 2 REB 2 AST
C. Anthony ORL
24 PTS 8 REB 7 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Timberwolves11-11 24 33 31 19 107
Wizards14-8 24 29 38 24 115
CAPITAL ONE ARENA, WASHINGTON, DC
SCORING LEADERS
K. Towns MIN
34 PTS 10 REB 1 AST
M. Harrell WAS
27 PTS 5 REB 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Cavaliers12-10 31 30 26 24 111
Heat13-9 16 27 20 22 85
FTX ARENA, MIAMI, FL
SCORING LEADERS
K. Love CLE
22 PTS 6 REB 3 AST
T. Herro MIA
21 PTS 1 REB 6 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
76ers11-11 20 20 23 24 87
Celtics12-10 21 23 20 24 88
TD GARDEN , BOSTON, MA
SCORING LEADERS
S. Curry PHI
17 PTS 6 AST
J. Tatum BOS
26 PTS 16 REB 2 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Hornets13-11 41 27 27 30 125
Bucks14-8 25 35 37 30 127
FISERV FORUM, MILWAUKEE, WI
SCORING LEADERS
L. Ball CHA
36 PTS 5 REB 9 AST
G. Antetokounmpo MIL
40 PTS 12 REB 9 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Mavericks11-9 41 26 35 37 139
Pelicans6-18 23 23 29 32 107
SMOOTHIE KING CENTER, NEW ORLEANS, LA
SCORING LEADERS
L. Doncic DAL
28 PTS 4 REB 14 AST
B. Ingram NO
29 PTS 2 REB 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Rockets5-16 24 29 20 41 114
Thunder6-15 26 34 21 29 110
PAYCOM CENTER, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
SCORING LEADERS
J. Tate HOU
32 PTS 10 REB 7 AST
S. Gilgeous-Alexander OKC
39 PTS 4 REB 2 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Kings9-14 29 33 37 25 124
Clippers11-11 21 31 24 39 115
STAPLES CENTER, LOS ANGELES, CA
SCORING LEADERS
D. Fox SAC
24 PTS 3 REB 5 AST
L. Kennard LAC
19 PTS 4 REB 2 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 50.40
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Victory belongs to the most persevering. - Napoleon Bonaparte
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