-
DOH issues guidelines for the holidays
By Fernan Angeles THE Department of Health (DOH) has issued public health guidelines aimed at making sure the surge of infections does not take place while Filipinos celebrate the holidays. In releasing DOH circular No. 2020-0355, Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire advised limited face-to-face activities even during the holidays and instead conduct celebrations virtually, do their…
-
DOH hints at price control on swab test
By Fernan Angeles EXPECT an executive order setting a price cap on RT–PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) or swab tests for COVID-19, said the Department of Health. In a statement, Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said that they have already asked the Office of the President to issue an EO for the suggested retail price (SRP)…
-
DILG reinstates discipline campaign amid COVID-19
By John Clifford Lintao CITING lack of discipline as among the factors that significantly contributed to the spread of the deadly virus, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reinstated shelved advocacy campaign on discipline in an apparent bid to compel compliance on minimum health standards in the time of COVID-19. Interior Undersecretary…
-
DOH probes private labs for differences in COVID-19 test results
By Fernan Angeles DISCREPANCIES in the COVID-19 results between the government and accredited private laboratories have compelled the Department of Health (DOH) to look into what appears to be another fraud, apparently referring to two incidents of individuals in Pampanga where test results were found conflicting. In a virtual press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario…
-
DOH not sure on UP’s ‘flatten the curve’ projection
By Fernan Angeles THE Department of Health does not seem convinced on the projection of University of the Philippines experts who expressed optimism on a trend that would see flattening of the COVID-19 curve by next month. In a television interview Tuesday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said she cannot categorically say if the infections…
-
No more long wait for test results of COVID-19
By John Clifford Lintao WAITING for COVID-19 test results need not be an eternity, said the Department of Health which has delegated the Philippine Red Cross to take over the task of informing individuals for their condition. In a statement, the PRC said they were finally given the authorization they had requested from the DOH…
-
2 million Filipinos already tested for COVID-19
By Fernan Angeles THE government has so far administered COVID-19 tests to some two million Filipinos, said the Department of Health. Of this figure, 214,444 yielded positive results, equating to a whopping 10.5 positivity rate. The testing is part of the government’s expanded testing measures deemed as crucial in containing the deadly virus. The online…
-
Gov’t to trace over 20,000 potential COVID-19 patients in Bulacan
By Fernan Angeles BULACAN province’s fate remains hanging as to whether their current community quarantine protocol should be downgraded to a relaxed category as Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Saturday cited the urgency to track down over 20,000 “probable” individuals who had contact with others who were tested positive for COVID-19. Taking cue from…
-
Many COVID-19 Filipino patients found to be in 20-59 age bracket
By John Clifford Lintao A BIG number of Filipinos infected by COVID-19 are aged 20 to 59 years which the Department of Health (DOH) described as the productive bracket. In a press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said: “Ito pong 20 to 59 years old, ito po ang productive age group, sila kasi iyong…
-
FDA: Vaccine may be available by year-end
By Fernan Angeles THE government is optimistic that a vaccine against COVID-19 infection would most likely be available by the end of the year. Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo, concurrent director general of the Food and Drugs Administration, said that by that time, the world would probably have hundreds of vaccines which have already passed the…