Author: Kharla Marasigan

The Department of Health (DOH) announced that 1,960 additional coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections were logged in the country base don its case bulletin on Saturday, February 13, 2021.

The new number cases raised the Philippines’ total COVID-19 tally to 547,255, with 6.4 per cent, or about 34,967 in active status.

Of the active Covid-19 cases, the DOH said 86.3 per cent of these are considered mild cases, 8.7 per cent are asymptomatic, 2.3 per cent are critical, 2,2 per cent are severe, and 0.64 per cent are moderate.

However, the DOH said 12 new deaths brought the country’s death toll to 11,507.

The country has enough Covid-19 facilities according to the bulletin with 61-per cent availability for the intensive care unit beds, isolation beds have 67-per cent capacity, ward beds have 78-per cent availability, while 79 per cent of ventilators are still available.

The DOH continuously reminds the public to strictly follow the imposed minimum health safety protocols to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in the country. 

IATF Allows Reopening of Cinemas, MICE Centers

Meanwhile, the inter-agency task force leading the country’s COVID-19 response has allowed more industries to reopen or expand their operations soon, Malacañang said on Friday, as authorities sought to boost the pandemic-battered economy. 

The IATF, in its Thursday meeting, authorized “the reopening and further expansion” of the following industries in areas under general community quarantine or GCQ, said Palace spokesman Harry Roque. 

• Driving schools
• Traditional cinemas
• Video and interactive game arcades
• Libraries, archives, museums, cultural centers
• Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions
• Limited social events at accredited establishments of the Department of Tourism 
• Limited tourist attractions, such as parks, theme parks, natural sites and historical landmarks 

This will be subject to final guidelines that will be issued by the health department and local governments, Roque said in a televised public briefing.

Sinovac Vaccine Arriving on February 23

Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque Jr announced in his press briefing today, February 11, that the vaccine from Sinovac will arrive in the Philippines on February 23.

“Ang bakuna po na Sinovac, galing naman po sa China, nakaukit na po sa bato ang pagdating. Ito po ay abente-tres ng Pebrero, 23 February darating po ang Sinovac, 600,000 pero ang 100,000 po ay donasyon ng Tsina para po sa kasundaluhan sa Department of National Defense,” said Secretary Roque.

Secretary Roque explained that while the vaccines from COVAX Facility are expected any time this month, the Philippine government has no control as to when is the exact date that COVAX will send the vaccines. 

“Hindi po natin kontrolado yan dahil sila po talaga ang magdedesisyon kung kailan nila ipalalabas ang mga bakuna,” said Secretary Roque.

With regard to the Pfizer vaccine, the Palace spokesperson said that the first batch of Pfizer vaccines will be coming from Belgium where it is being manufactured. 

Sec. Roque said that as soon as the shipment of these vaccines are ready, it will be shipped from Brussels to London, then London to Manila by the country’s national carrier.

Aside from the arrival of the Sinovac vaccine, Sec. Roque also announced that the Philippine Food and Drug Administration has issued a compassionate use license for 10,000 doses of the vaccine from Sinopharm for the use of the Presidential Security Group (PSG). – BusinessNews.ph