A large new study published in the journal Nature found that even mild coronavirus infections may cause changes in the brain – a significant finding that continues to shed light on the impact of the virus on our bodies. But whether these changes were long-term or reversible over time, it’s still too soon to tell.

Experts in the Philippines are looking at the possibly of recommending another booster for senior citizens and moderate to severely immunocompromised individuals that may be administered around four months after the first booster dose. But it will still take a while to reach some consensus. It’s worth underscoring that at least 30% of the country’s population has yet to receive a single dose at all. 

This week of March 13, 2022, we’re looking at how scientists are understanding the toll of COVID-19 on the body, and the progress in the vaccine drive.

Read the detailed outlook here.

There is much talk about how COVID-19 will end as a pandemic. In the Philippines, the word “endemic” has become quite the buzz word in recent weeks. Many have associated the word endemic as the “end” of COVID-19 in society, which implies that our lives are bound to be easier in the years to come. 

Endemicity, however, is not as straightforward as mainstream media and some quoted experts would have us believe. There’s more to the word “endemic” than meets the eye, and this has implications on how we will move forward with COVID-19. 

The Philippines will have to make some serious public health reforms, if we hope to safely ‘live with’ the virus. We cannot let this virus be in control, says Dr. Carlo Yao of public health research firm EpiMetrics Inc.

Read the full explainer here.

MANILA, Philippines – In areas under Alert Level 1, asymptomatic individuals who are close contacts of a positive case are no longer required to quarantine for as long as they are fully vaccinated, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday, March 1.

“Para po sa Alert Level 1 areas, kung kayo po ay asymptomatic, at close contact kayo ng isang positibong individual, at kayo ay fully vaccinated, wala na pong kailangan o zero days for quarantine pero kailangan ‘nyo po mag-self monitor,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

Read more.