WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
How many people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Philippines? How many have recovered, and how many have died? What is President Rodrigo Duterte doing about it? What should the public expect in terms of the economy and vaccine development?
Bookmark and refresh this page for the latest news updates, opinion articles, and analysis pieces about the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.
LATEST UPDATES
DOH bulletin: COVID-19 cases as of January 23, 2021
BREAKING NEWS. The Department of Health (DOH) recorded 1,797 new cases on Saturday, January 23, 2021. Total cases now at 511,679.
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) January 23, 2021
DOH recorded 54 new deaths, total deaths now at 10,190. 166 new patients recovered from the virus, total now at 467,886.https://t.co/7VuqTP37cn pic.twitter.com/XoMBXtsp9j
Recto wants teachers prioritized after health workers in vaccine rollout
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said prioritizing teachers next to health workers in COVID-19 vaccination will help restore “normalcy” in the education sector and the rest of the country.
“It’s difficult to open the economy if we’re not able to open our schools to begin with. Education is essential, it cannot be not essential,” Recto said.
Full story here.
Duque to convince Duterte to receive COVID-19 vaccine in public
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he and other pandemic response officias will “try their best” to convince President Rodrigo Duterte to get vaccinated in public to boost confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine but they will respect the Chief Executive’s decision.
Read the rest here.
Senators, Galvez agree to tackle vaccine prices after supply deals finalized
“We came across information on the necessity of non-disclosure agreements,” said Senate President Vicente Sotto III.
Read the full story here.
India’s Bharat Biotech applies for emergency use approval of COVID-19 vaccine
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said on Friday, January 22, that India’s Bharat Biotech has applied for emergency use authorization (EUA) of its coronavirus vaccine in the country.
Bharat has also applied for the conduct of clinical trials in the Philippines.
Read the full report here.
1st PH case of new variant now negative for COVID-19
The patient will remain under health monitoring for at least two weeks.
Full story here.
Securing vaccine deals: A checklist for local governments
What are the steps, obligations, and responsibilities local governments will take when procuring and distributing COVID-19 vaccines?
Read it here.
Task force announces changes to travel restrictions due to new COVID-19 variant
The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases announced an easing of its requirement that allowed travelers from countries with the new COVID-19 virus variant have to strictly observe a 14-day quarantine period, regardless of swab test result.
“On testing and quarantine protocols for passengers coming from, or transiting through, countries where travel restrictions are in place due to new COVID-19 variants, these incoming passengers shall be tested upon arrival and shall be quarantined until the result of the subsequent test administered on the 5th day is released,” said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque on Friday, January 22.
Filipino citizens and certain foreign nationals are allowed to enter the Philippines from countries with the new virus variant.
Roque announced other changes to travel restrictions.
Foreign nationals “with valid visas,” personnel of accredited international organizations and their spouse and minor children will now be allowed to enter the country, even from placed with the new virus variant. Foreigners who are also coming to the Philippines due to medical and emergency reasons, including their medical escorts, can now also enter the country as long as they undergo testing and quarantine protocols.