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OCTA bats for stricter travel protocols for returning OFWs following discovery of hard-to-detect COVID variant

The OCTA Research Group recommended a stricter mandatory quarantine for returning overseas Filipinos and travelers after the discovery of a new COVID-19 variant undetected by PCR tests.

"May bagong variant na hindi na-dedetect ng PCR test...Kung ganun ibig sabihin ayusin natin ang international travel protocols natin," OCTA Research fellow Guido David.

"Dapat pag may papasok na returning Filipinos o tourists dapat mandatory na ang quarantine period,” he added.

The new variant was discovered by French authorities in mid-March and appears undetectable by PCR tests, the gold standard for COVID-19 tests.

The French Health Ministry on Monday said the variant is not more dangerous or transmissible compared to other variants.

The World Health Organization (WHO) categorized the new variant as a "variant under investigation" (VUI).

Meanwhile, the Philippine government is also urged to expand its contact tracing and testing capabilities.

The independent group said the accelerating vaccine rollout will bring down the COVID-19 cases especially in NCR Plus areas.

As of Tuesday, April 13, the Philippines has administered 1.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

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DOH allays concern over hard to detect new COVID variant

The Department of Health on Saturday allayed concerns that a new COVID-19 variant detected in France appears to be difficult to be detected even by polymerase chain reaction testing.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire maintained that the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test remains as the gold standard in detecting SARS-CoV-2.

"Ito pong article na lumabas na ito ay napakaliit noong population na nakitaan nila na hindi nadetect apparently sa RT-PCR,” she said adding that this was already rectified by experts coming from Johns Hopkins, Stanford, and other credible institutions.

Vergeire added that more studies are needed for the new variant that was first detected in Brittany France.

According to French health officials, the new variant currently "does not appear to be more dangerous or contagious."

“RT-PCR not only uses the S gene, mayroong iba't ibang genes na ginagamit for us to detect the virus so 'yong nakita nila na nag-fail sa S gene o ano pang gene na ginamit, sa ibang gene hindi naman daw nakita 'yong ganyang pagbabago so bottomline would be pag-a-aralan pa,” she pointed out.

However, Vergeire also recognized the need to further develop current tests to adapt to the new and emerging Covid-19 variants.

She said other information is needed to be validated if the Philippines will have to recalibrate its testing and quarantine protocols.

OCTA Research Group earlier urged the government to impose stricter mandatory quarantine for returning overseas Filipinos,

Dr. Guido David recommended a 14-day isolation - or even longer - for overseas Filipinos returning to the country following the detection of the new variant in France.

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PH records 10,098 new COVID-19 infections, record high recoveries

The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday logged 10,098 additional COVID-19 cases bringing the country’s total to 936,133.

Active cases in the Philippines went down to 141,089 after the health agency implemented the mass healing of mild and asymptomatic cases .

The total number of survivors climbed to 779,084 after 72,607 were recorded.

This is the highest single-day tally on increase of recoveries since the pandemic started.

DOH also tallied 150 new deaths raising the death toll to 15,960.

It also said 48 patients initially tagged as recovered were reclassified as deaths following validation.

The latest tally does not include the seven laboratories that failed to submit their data on DOH's COVID-19 Document Repository System (CDRS).

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FAKE NEWS! Lorenza belies rumors of withdrawal of support for Duterte

Rappler Photo

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday denounced the rumors spreading that active and retired members of the military are withdrawing their support for President Rodrigo Duterte calling it irresponsible propaganda.

"It's fake news! I am not and I will never be part of such a group," he said in a statement.

The statement came following reports that the military is planning to withdraw their support for the Commander-in-Chief due to his inaction on Beijing’s aggressive moves in the West Philippine Sea.

Lorenzana added that neither officials of the Department of National Defense were part of the said group.

The Defense chief dismissed the so called propaganda that he claimed came from critics and enemies of the President

“Such disinformation is an act of reckless agitation from detractors, who have a limited or myopic appreciation of issues,” he said.

He also called on the destabilizers to refrain from propagating malicious statements at a time when the people should all be coming together.

“You are not helping the country not at all,” he stressed.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) already dismissed the claims of an “imminent” withdrawal of support to President Dutert

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AFP denies withdrawal of support for Duterte

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday belied claims that an “imminent” withdrawal of support to President Duterte is brewing following his silence and inaction on China’s incursion in the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement, AFP Chief-of-Staff General Carlito Sobejana dismissed the existence of alleged Viber group that was composed of active and retired junior and senior members of the military.

The said group claimed that there is a dissatisfaction among military over President Duterte's deafening silence over issues on the West Philippine Sea.

Sobejana said that if they will create such group in the future, he disavows the presence associations of officers and enlisted personnel to such mindset.

"The AFP is a professional organization committed to safeguard democracy and protect its democratic institutions," the statement read.

The news came after a message went viral on social media claiming that warplanes and aircraft of various countries landed at Clark Airbase.

The AFP dispeled rumors of foreign warplanes landing in PH soil adding as fake news adding that the military is "on normal alert as oppose to the claim of that spurious sender."

"It is obvious that the motive of these malicious post is to create panic and confusion" the statement read.

"We advised the public to remain calm and dismissed them as  another disinformation," it added.

AFP maintained that it will focus on its mission abc continue to perform its constitutional mandates than be distracted by people, groups and associations advancing their own agenda.

"We will veer away, as we appeal to all quarters to spare AFP from partisan politics," it said adding that the nation is already saddled with various challenges.

AFP assured the public that the soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines are firmly behind the chain-of-command.

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PH logs 12,674 new COVID-19 cases, active cases reach all time high

The Department of Health on Saturday recorded 12,674 new COVID-19 cases bringing the total number to 853,209.

Active cases stood at 190,245, the highest since the start of the pandemic.

The Philippines toped the countries with highest numer of active cases in Southeast Asia.

It also tallied 593 survivors, raising the total number of recoveries to 648,220.

The death toll climbed to 14,744 after 225 new deaths were recorded.

The latest tally excludes three labs that failed to submit data on time, according to DOH.

The agency noted that 19 duplicates were removed from the total case count, including 7 recoveries and 1 death.

Moreover, 49 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as fatalities after final validation.

The OCTA Research Group recommended the extension of Enhanced Community Quarantine in Metro Manila and nearby provinces following the record-breaking number of deaths reported on Friday.

The IATF is yet to announce new quarantine classifications.

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OCTA bats for another week long extension of ECQ in NCR Plus areas

The OCTA Research Group on Saturday recommended another week-long extension of Enhanced Community Quarantine in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces.

The recommendation came after the record-breaking number of deaths reported in the daily COVID-19 bulletin of the Department of Health.

While the independent panel of researchers noted improvements on virus reproduction rate it also warned that daily new deaths will reach 200 if infections continue to rise by around 10,000 daily.

"Of course, if public health [and] hospitals are our primary consideration, our recommendation is to extend the ECQ so that we can lower the reproduction to less than 1," Professor Guido David told ABS-CBN News.

Another possible scenario according to David is gradually easing the lockdown from ECQ to modified ECQ or MECQ.

Virus reproduction rate in Metro manila has slowed down 1.43 to 1.24 on Wedneday. April 7.

The National Capital Region and its adjacent provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, collectively known as NCR Plus Bubble is currently under ECQ.

The palace is expected to announce whether to extend or lift the ECQ later Saturday.

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DOH allays public fears over Sinovac jabs

The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday eased the public’s fear over safety of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly the doses developed by Chinese drug manufacturer Sinovac.

"Hindi po dapat mabahala ang public regarding this matter. Kailangang maintindihan natin ang sitwasyon,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a virtual briefing.

The statement came after reports of individuals contracting COVID-19 despite getting inoculated and a case of a member of Manila Police District who died after receiving a vaccine shot.

"Sila ay nag-expose at nag-manifest ang kanilang symptoms pagkatapos na mabakunahan,” she explained.

When asked about adverse effects, Vergeire stressed that there’s no indication that Sinovac doses would led to contracting COVID-19.

“Pero ayon sa pag-aaral ng ating mga eksperto, walang direct link ng pagkakaroon ng COVID-19 with the vaccines that is Sinovac,” the health official said.

Vergeire noted that the full effect of the Sinovac’s CoronaVac dose in our immunity would be felt three to four weeks after you get your second dose.

“So halimbawa nakakuha ho kayo ng first dose, hindi pa ho ganoon kataas ang antibody titers natin to give or to receive the full protection of the vaccine,” she said.

The health official also reminded the public not to let their guard down despite getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Kahit na nabakunahan na tayo, kailangan pa rin nating magtuluy-tuloy mag-ingat dahil puwede pa rin ho natin makuha ang sakit at maaring iyong epekto nga noong bakuna ay hindi pa rin tumatalab sa ating katawan dahil first dose lang at maari pa rin ho tayong magkaroon ng mga ganitong incidents,” she said.

Meanhwile, Vergeire said the suspension of the rollout of AstraZeneca jabs will only last for two weeks.

“Iyon pong mga nabakunahan na ng AstraZeneca, hindi naman po kailangan mangamba. Unang-una, iyong adverse event na ito, wala pa ho tayong nanu-note na ganiyan dito po sa ating country kaya nga sinasabi natin precautionary measure lang ‘to,” she pointed out.

The shipment of 4,58 million AstraZeneca doses from COVAX facility will arrive in the country by the end of May or June.

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ECQ should stay until COVID-19 admissions drop – NTF adviser

The enhanced community quarantine in NCR Plus areas should not be lifted until the hospital admissions of COVID-19 patients drop, a medical expert recommended on Sunday.

Special adviser to the National Task Force Against COVID-19 Dr. Teddy Herbosa said the extension of the strictest lockdown is a must as hospitals in Metro Manila continue operating “over capacity”.

“Tinitingnan ko rin yung hospitals. Kapag hindi kaya ng hospitals, hindi muna natin dapat i-lift yung ECQ,” he told GMA News.

Herbosa also pointed out that the lockdown is not just aimed to curb the spread of the pandemic but also preventing the health care system from getting overwhelmed.

“May mga kwento na tayong nadidinig na naghihintay ng ilang araw, namamatay sa tent sa labas,” he said citing reports that patients are waiting in tents for days before admission.

One of the factors being considered by the IATF is the reproduction rate, which currently stands between 1.4 and 1.8.

To lift the ECQ, Herbosa said COVID-19 reproduction rate should drastically decrease below 1 while the test positivity rate should also go down ideally below 5% from the all time high 24%.

“Yung test positivity rate, bababa yan kapag naa-isolate mo yung super spreader. Kapag naa-isolate mo sila, siyempre makakapagbaba ng hawaan. So ang hinahanap natin diyan is nasa below 5% para tumigil yung pagkalat,” he said.

The imposition of ECQ in the capital region and Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal provinces is extended until April 11, 2011.

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PH logs 11,028 new COVID-19 cases; 41,025 new recoveries

The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday recorded 11,028 additional COVID-19 cases bringing the cumulative total to 795,051.

Active cases in the Philippines dropped to 135,526 or 17 percent of the cumulative total after DOH mass reported over 41,000 recoveries.

Despite this, the country still holds the highest number of COVID-19 in Southeast Asia.

DOH tallied an all-time high record of 41,205 new recoveries, the highest since August 16 when the agency logged 40,397 patients cleared from COVID-19.

The total number of recoveries stand at 646,100 or 81.3 percent of the total number of infections.

The agency said two new fatalities were reported, raising the death toll to 13,425.

The latest tally does not include the five laboratories that failed to submit their report, according to DOH.

The daily positivity rate now stands at 22.7 percent which means 1 out of 5 who were tested for COVID-19 was found positive for the disease.

The DOH said two recoveries were reclassified into fatalities after final validation while 20 duplicates, including eight recoveries, were removed from the COVID-19 data drop.

The Philippine government extended the enhanced community quarantine in NCR Plus areas or Metro Manila and adjacent provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal for another week to curb the spread of COVID-19.

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DISTRIBUTION OF PHP22.9-BILLION ECQ AYUDA FOR RESIDENTS IN NCR PLUS AREAS TO BEGIN ON MONDAY

The Php22.9-billion ayuda or assistance for residents affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine in NCR Plus area will be distributed to local government units (LGUs) beginning on Monday.

Interior Undersecretary Bernardo Florece, DILG officer-in-charge, said the Bureau of Treasury will release it directly to the concerned LGUs.

Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya also confirmed this and added that he expects LGUs would start the distribution of ECQ ayuda to their constituents by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Inquire reported that the DILG ordered LGUs to issue an executive order (EO) detailing the process of distribution of assistance to their constituents.

The aid must be given “15 calendars days upon receipt of the funds if the assistance is in cash or within 30 calendar days if assistance is in-kind” according to DILG.

Earlier, the DILG and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) issued the guidelines for the distribution of financial assistance worth PHP1,000 per individual, with a maximum of PHP4,000 per family to residents of Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan.

The DILG also warned local officials not to politicize the distribution of assistance, barring them from using their name, photo, or image in the distribution.

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ECQ extended for one week in NCR Plus

The Philippines extended the Enhanced Community Quarantine by a week in areas under the NCR Plus bubble.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Saturday that IATF recommended another one-week extension of enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan beginning April 5.

"Karagdagang linggo, minimum of one additional week beginning on the 5th," Roque said.

The announcement came after the Department of Health and the OCTA Research Group separately proposed the extension of ECQ.

Metro Manila and its adjacent provinces reverted back to ECQ last week due to continuous surge of COVID-19 infections.

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HINDI NAWALA: PhilHealth reports 98% of missing Php15-Billion funds liquidated

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) maintained that the Php15 billion pesos allegedly stolen by former officials have been liquidated.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday, the state health insurer reported that 98% of the Php15-billion advanced payments under its Interim Reimbursement Mechanism or IRM funds have already been accounted for.

Philhealth said the money went to at least 711 hospitals as subsidy and to augment their needs during the pandemic.

“Properly accounted ito. Sa katunayan ay P14.7 billion o 98% na ang na-liquidate o naisulit na ng mga ospital, katunayang pinakinabangan ito ng mga pasyente at hindi ng bulsa ng sinoman,” PhilHealth said.

According to the agency, IRM is defined as a special privilege for the provision of substantial aid to an eligible Health Care Institution directly hit by a fortuitous event with clear and apparent intent to continuously operate and/or rebuild the HCI in order to provide continuous health care services to adversely affected Filipinos.

The agency was under fire over massive corruption allegations that resulted in a Senate investigation last year.

The IRM system has been suspended and was put under review following congressional inquiries.

The said investigation led to the resignation of former PhilHealth president Ricardo Morales.

A whistleblower has claimed that the PhilHealth ``mafia" composed of the agency's executives stole the Php 15 billion funds.

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Philippines to vaccinate 3 million people per week by June – Galvez

The OCTA Research Group on Saturday urged the national government to extend Enhanced Community Quarantine in the NCR Plus Bubble to curb the transmission of COVID-19.

The statement came after the Department of Health (DOH) recorded over 15,000 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday.

“We should have a two-week period of ECQ where we have strict mobility restrictions,” Professor Ranjit Rye said during a media briefing.

“We’re recommending that the ECQ be extended,” he added. “And we’re suggesting maybe a recommendation of this for at least two weeks.” According to the research group, as of Friday April 2, the reproduction rate of the virus in Metro Manila slowed down to 1.65 from the previous week's 1.96.

However, professor Guido David cautioned that it doesn’t mean that the spread of COVID-19 is slowing down.

"It does not mean that cases are slowing down, that the number of cases is decreasing now. The R number... is still very high... If we extend the quarantine or minimize mobility, the R number could decrease to 1.33 by this time next week," David clarified.

“As a reference, the United Kingdom had to maintain a tight national lockdown for four months in order to relieve the pressure on their hospital infrastructure from a variant-driven surge,” the group said.

The group also recommended the transition of the capital region and its adjacent provinces to modified ECQ before reverting back to General Community Quarantine status.

OCTA said this exit strategy will help slow down the transmission and ease the hospitals overwhelmed with the surge of cases.

The independent panel of researchers also proposed to the government to expand the isolation and quarantine facilities as well as transporting health workers from low-risk areas to the capital region to help assist the region’s health facilities.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to announce the quarantine classifications in NCR Plus bubble later Saturday.

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OCTA Research backs 1-week extension of ECQ in NCR Plus area

The UP-OCTA Research Group on Saturday urged the national government to extend Enhanced Community Quarantine in the NCR Plus Bubble to curb the transmission of COVID-19.

The statement came after the Department of Health (DOH) recorded over 15,000 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday.

“We should have a two-week period of ECQ where we have strict mobility restrictions,” Professor Ranjit Rye said during a media briefing.

“We’re recommending that the ECQ be extended,” he added. “And we’re suggesting maybe a recommendation of this for at least two weeks.” According to the research group, as of Friday April 2, the reproduction rate of the virus in Metro Manila slowed down to 1.65 from the previous week's 1.96.

However, professor Guido David cautioned that it doesn’t mean that the spread of COVID-19 is slowing down.

"It does not mean that cases are slowing down, that the number of cases is decreasing now. The R number... is still very high... If we extend the quarantine or minimize mobility, the R number could decrease to 1.33 by this time next week," David clarified.

“As a reference, the United Kingdom had to maintain a tight national lockdown for four months in order to relieve the pressure on their hospital infrastructure from a variant-driven surge,” the group said.

The group also recommended the transition of the capital region and its adjacent provinces to modified ECQ before reverting back to General Community Quarantine status.

OCTA said this exit strategy will help slow down the transmission and ease the hospitals overwhelmed with the surge of cases.

The independent panel of researchers also proposed to the government to expand the isolation and quarantine facilities as well as transporting health workers from low-risk areas to the capital region to help assist the region’s health facilities.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to announce the quarantine classifications in NCR Plus bubble later Saturday.

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PH logs 12,576 new COVID-19 cases

The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday logged 12,576 additional COVID-19 cases bringing the cumulative total to 784,043.

Active cases in the Philippines is now at 165, the highest since the start of the pandemic.

The Philippines is now the epicenter of COVID-19 in Southeast Asia with the highest number of currently sick patients.

Seven laboratories have yet to submit their reports.

The death toll also climbed to 13,423 after 103 more people died from COVID-19.

Meanwhile, 595 new recoveries were reported, raising the total number of individuals recovered from the disease to 604,905.

The positivity rate is also at an all-time high at 24.2%, but this is only based on data as of noon of April 2.

The DOH said it 48 recoveries were reclassified into fatalities after validation while 30 duplicates were removed from the COVID-19 data drop, including 14 recoveries.

“We have encountered some issues in uploading cases in the system last March 31. We have resolved this issue – and we no longer have backlogs. However, with this, around 3.7K cases that were supposed to be reported last Mar 31 will just be reported today as part of the total cases,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

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PH logs record high 15,310 new COVID-19 infections

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday logged 15,310 additional COVID-19 cases, the highest since the start of the pandemic.

The DOH, however, explained that the latest tally includes a backlog of 3,709 cases that were supposed to have been added to the agency’s COVID-19 data drop last March 31.

The cumulative total soared to 771,497 with 153,809 active cases; the new all-time high for active cases.

The Philippines has surpassed Indonesia for highest number of currently sick patients, becoming the new epicenter of COVID-19 in Southeast Asia.

Seven laboratories have yet to submit their reports.

The death toll also climbed to 13,320 after 17 more people died from COVID-19.

Meanwhile, 434 new recoveries were reported, raising the total number of individuals recovered from the disease to 604,368.

“We have encountered some issues in uploading cases in the system last March 31. We have resolved this issue – and we no longer have backlogs. However, with this, around 3.7K cases that were supposed to be reported last Mar 31 will just be reported today as part of the total cases,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.