Pandemic deaths 1918-1919 at 2020-2021 sa Marinduque; Covid-19 updates at mga pagsisikap ng mga namumuno

Ang pinakahuli lamang na turnover Aug 30 ng medical supplies, equipment, ambulances, service vehicles para sa Marinduque sa inisyatibo ni Speaker Lord Allan Velasco ay tinanggap ni Gov. Presby Velasco. Pinasalamatan ang DOH, OCD at Pilipinong May Puso Foundation at marami pang iba.
 

Sa Marinduque ay 979 ang namatay sa Spanish Flu noong 1918. 

Datos mula sa The Philippines in the World of the Influenza Pandemic of 1918–1919, F Gealogo. 

Naganap sa mundo at Pilipinas kasama na ang Marinduque ang isang pandemya noong 1918. 

Spanish Flu ang tawag nila dito. 40% ng mga Pilipino ang tinamaan, 88,906 ang pumanaw. 10 buwan ang inabot ng 3 waves noon, yung ikalawa mas nakamamatay kaysa nauna. 

Sa Marinduque ay 979 ang namatay. Panahong ang naitalang populasyon ng ating islang-lalawigan ay 56,868 pa lamang.

Ang populasyon ng Marinduque sa kasalukuyan ay 239,207 ayon sa 2020 Census.

Sa mga karatig lalawigan naman natin sa ngayo'y kilala bilang MIMAROPA ay ito naging death toll sa Spanish Flu: Mindoro, 1,003; Romblon, 279; Palawan, 1,640.

Sa kasalukuyang pandemya ng COVID-19 sa Marinduque makaraan ang 1 at kalahating taon (Marso 2020-August 2021) ay ito naman ang naging record: 1,919 ang inamaan ng sakit at 89 lamang ang sumakabilang-buhay.

Sa kasalukuyan, pinaghirapan na ng husto ng ating mga iginagalang na mga pinuno ng pamahalaan at ang mga frontliners, ay patuloy na ginagawa ang lahat ng kanilang makakaya. 

Walang sino man sa kanila angt nagpapabaya, mula sa punong-lalawigan, Gov. Presbiterno Velasco, Jr., lahat ng opisyales ng pamahalaang panlalawigan, lahat ng opisyales ng anim na bayan at lalong-lalo na ang kongresista ng Marinduque na ngayo'y nakatayo bilang Speaker of the House Lord Allan Velasco.

Unang naganap sa lokal na kasaysayan ng lalawigan ang ganitong pagkakataon.

Di katakatakang lahat ng available resources sa loob at labas ng lalawigan ay kayang-kayang gawan ng paraaan para iparating dito.

Ayaw kang talikuran kahit pagod na pagod na sila at ang panganib na nakaamba ay naiisantabi pa rin dahil sa kanilang dedikasyon at pagkalinga sa pinagsisilbihan.

Hindi maitatanggi na isa itong uri ng inspiradong pamamalakad at paninilbihan sa bayan ng mga lider natin.

Spanish Flu death toll 

Ayon sa isang panulat, “America’s Forgotten Pandemic” ni Alfred W. Crosby sa nabanggit na "1918 Spanish Flu" na basta ang tawag lamang sa atin ay "Trancazo" ay ganito: “Ang flu morbidity at mortality statistics ng Pilipinas, na may populasyon na 9 hanggang 10.5 million, depende na sa kung anong awtoridad ang iyong kinokonsulta, ay di maaasahan. Mga 40 porsyento ng mga Filipino ang nahawa sa sakit, at 70,000-90,000 ang nangagkamatay. 

“Kahit pa gamitan ng pinaka-konserbatibong pagtatantiya, ang pandemic ay pumatay sa 2 porsyento ng mga nagkasakit nito. 

“Sa maraming barangay sa pinakamatinding panahon, walang supisyenteng mga taong may kakayahang maglibing sa mga patay. Ang pandemya ay tila pinakamatinding perwisyo ang ginawa sa malalayong lugar, tulad ng Cotabato sa Mindanao, kung saan 95 porsiyento ang nagkasakit.”

Ang general COVID-19 situation sa Marinduque

 

Sinalubong nina Gov. Velasco at mga kasamahan ang pagdating ng additional vaccines para sa Marinduque. 18% na ng populasyon ang nabakunahan sa kasalukuyan.

Naging laman ng mga balita nitong mga nakaraang araw ang lalawigan natin ng Marinduque dahil sa nakakabahalang pagtaas ng bilang ng mga COVID-19 cases. 

Umaabot sa halos 1,300 ang bilang ng covid cases mula sa 390 cases noon lamang nakaraang buwan ng Mayo.

Sinasabing maaaring nasa likod ito ng pagsulpot sa lalawigan ng nakakahawang Delta variant ng covid, habang umaasa ang lalawigan sa patuloy na pagdating ng mga bakuna mula sa national government.

Kinumpirma naman ng Philippine Genome Center na pitong kaso ng Delta variant na naitala sa bayan ng Sta. Cruz. 

“Ang evaluation po namin ay baka itong Delta variant po ay meron na rin sa ibang bayan. Kaya lang po, wala pa po ‘yong ibang report doon sa Philippine Genome Center”, pahayag no Governor Presby Velasco.

Samantala, nasa 18 porsyento na ng populasyon ang nabakunahan, anang gobernador. 

August 20 PDRRMC meeting para sa Covid-19 updates

Karagdagang impormasyon

Naglabas naman ng isang Infoshare si Bokal Adeline Angeles bilang bahagi ng kamakailang pagpupulong ng mga reourse personns mula sa DOH, Provincial Health Office (PHO), mga Municipal Health Offices, Chiefs of Hospital, PDRRMO Council, mga Mayors, si House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, kanyang tanggapan bilang tugon sa ipinatawag na marathon meetings ni Gov. Presby Velasco mula noong Agosto 16, 2021.

Ilang bahagi ng mga tala ni Bokal "Lyn" Angeles:

Si Bokal Lyn Angeles kasama si Rino Labay ng PDRRMC

TANONG (T): ANO ANG GENERAL COVID-19 SITUATION SA MARINDUQUE?

SAGOT(S): Tulad ng nangyayari sa buong bansa, patuloy na dumarami ang COVID-19 cases.

As of August 23, 2021: 1,614 COVID-19 cases; 340 active cases; recorded 7 Delta Cases in Sta. Cruz, 4 Delta in Torrijos; and 1 Theta in Boac. May 4.2% fatality rate na karamihan ay walang bakuna.

Generally, sa ngayon, halos wala nang hospital sa labas ng lalawigan na tumatanggap ng COVID patients dahil sobra na rin sa kanilang capacity.

T: PAANO ITO HINA-HANDLE NG LALAWIGAN?

S: Pinagsusumikapan na makaroon ng JOINT EFFORT AND COORDINATED RESPONSE ang Province, LGUs (Municipality, Barangay), DOH, PNP, DILG and other National Gov’t Agencies at ilang private sector. Sapagkat Level 1 hospital lamang ang MPH, isinasagawa ang mga sumusunod:

1. Strategy of “catching the patient at the early stage for timely management”.

2. Continuous and active implementation of vaccination program hand in hand with management of COVID positive cases.

3. As per coordination protocol agreed between MPH, Sta Cruz/Torrijos Hospital and partner MHO/LGU, ang ipa-prioritize i-admit sa MPH ay SEVERE CASES that match the agreed CRITERIA  like an identified threshold of oxygen level among others. Ang mga Moderate at Asymptomatic cases naman ay RHU ng bawat Munisipyo ang magha-handle sa mga Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility (TTMF) nila.

4. Sapagkat ang Municipal isolation facility ay maghahandle ng non-severe COVID cases bilang Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility (TTMF), ito ay higit na inaayos at dinadagdagan ng mga munisipyo. Nag-identify din ng additional schools para maging pansamantalang isolation facility.

NOTE: DOH requirement for Municipal Isolation Facility: 1 bed for every 1,000 population.

Sta. Cruz District Hospital

STATUS:

Sta. Cruz – has 20 TTMF bed capacity; 38 still needed

Mogpog – has 24 TTMF bed capacity; 11 still needed

Torrijos – has 8 TTMF bed capacity; 24 still needed

Boac - has 10 TTMF bed capacity; 47 still needed

Gasan - has 24 TTMF bed capacity; 12 still needed

Buenavista – has 18 TTMF bed capacity; 7 still needed

NOTE:  In the pipeline po ang mga sumusunod:

- Construction of 30M 71 bed capacity Isolation Facility (Sta. Cruz) - funded by Office of Civil Defense (OCD)

- Construction of 25M 68 bed Facility (Torrijos) – funded by OCD

- Construction of 5M 24 bed Facility (Boac) – funded by LGU

- On-going construction of 10M 17 bed capacity – funded by DOH Bayanihan Act 2

T: TOTOO BANG MAY MGA PASYENTE ANG MPH NA SA TENT NA LANG NAG-STAY AT PAGOD NA ANG ATING MGA FRONTLINERS SA HOSPITAL?

S: Totoo po at ito po ay nangyayari din sa  maraming  gov't hospital sa bansa. Kaya po seryosong kailangan ang PAKIKIISA NG LAHAT na maging maingat at tumulong upang hindi kumalat ang COVID.

T: ILANG COVID WARD MERON SA MPH?

S: Sa ngayon, may 1 COVID ward that could cater 15-20 patients pero inihahanda na rin ang isa pang COVID ward for around 15-20 patients more.

T: BAKIT HINDI NA LANG AGAD DAGDAGAN ANG COVID WARD SA HOSPITAL?

S: Hindi madali sapagkat bawat COVID ward with 15-20 patients capacity ay nangangailan ng karagdagang 8 Doctors, 8 Nurses at 8 Nursing Assistants na MAHIRAP din basta humanap sa ngayon dahil na rin sa kakulangan ng mga available doctors at medical professionals hindi lamang sa lalawigan kundi sa buong bansa.

NOTE: Sa ngayon, dahil na rin sa pakikipag-ugnayan ng Provincial Gov’t headed by Gov. Velasco meron nang nag-commit na 8 additional doctors at 5 Nurses mula sa labas ng lalawigan para sa additional COVID ward na isiniset-up.

T: MAY MGA COVID-19 MEDICINES / DRUGS BA NA MAGAGAMIT SA MPH PARA SA “SEVERE” CASES TULAD NG “REMDESIVIR”?

S: May mga inorder at nadeliver sa Provincial Hospital subalit ayon sa report mabilis ito maubos at nagiging limited din ang availability nito sa market. But the Governor has already instructed the hospital to seek for ways & means to make those medicines available.

T: ANONG ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENTS / TOOLS ANG INAASAHANG MADAGDAG SA GINAGAMIT SA MGA COVID FACILITIES?

S:  FROM SPEAKER LORD & Mrs. Wen Velasco & Pilipinong May Puso Foundation (ready for proper turn-over)

     -15 units oxygen concentrator

     -1,500 boxes various PPEs

     -100 boxes gloves

     -400 boxes face mask

     -1,000 boxes various medicine

     -300 pcs. modular tents

     -116 pcs. bed foam

From Office of Civil Defense para sa Isolation Facilities ng Probinsya at 6 Municipalities (reported to be ready for pick-up already)

     -34 units Generator set

     -166 bed foam

     -348 folding bed

     -75 folding bed w/ foam

     -426 electric fan

     -82 gas stove

     -33 refrigerator

     -44 washing machine

     -35 water & coffee boiler

     -70 water dispenser

     -Other various items

Funded by Provincial Government of Marinduque (On-going procurement process)

    -CPAP

    -High Flow machine

    -High Flow Cannula

    -150 modular tents with mattress

    -100 cylinders of Medical Oxygen (filled to 1,800 psi)

    - Antigen Test Kits for Hospital frontliners

    - Various medicines including Remdesivir

Note:

- Muling nag-approve ng panibagong additional/ Supplemental Budget ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan para sa mga pangangailangan ng hospital.

- Patuloy pa rin and Vaccination gamit ang kararating na 14,000 vials Sinovac. May parating pa ring 10,000 dozes ng Sinofarm at may panibagong request ang Marinduque na inaasahang maibibigay din.

T: ANO ANG MOLECULAR LABORATORY? MERON NA BA NITO SA PROBINSYA?

S: Ang molecular laboratory ay isang facility na may kakayahan na magsagawa ng PCR-test. Sa ngayon ay may initial equipment donated by AYALA FOUNDATION pero may mga ilan pa ring kagamitan na dapat mai-provide. Gayundin, kailangan pa din ang DOH evaluation para ito’y maging operational. May ilang initiative din ang private sector gaya ng Marinduque Response Network para sa proyektong tulad nito.

Bahagi ng dumating na vaccines para sa Marinduque

T: PAANO MAKATUTULONG ANG ORDINARYONG MAMAYAN NG MARINDUQUE SA NGAYON?

1. HUWAG mag-panic.

2. Magpa BAKUNA (karamihan ng COVID fatality ay walang bakuna)

3. Maging RESPONSIBLE. ALAGAAN ang sarili at kapwa sa pamamagitan ng SERYOSONG PAGSUNOD SA MGA SIMPLENG HEALTH PROTOCOLS.

4. Alam ko pong nakakatakot, pero makakatulong na sa “early symptoms” pa lang ay humingi na agad ng MEDICAL ATTENTION para sa agarang pagtugon.

4. HUWAG MAGPALAKAT ng mga FAKE NEWS. Hindi ito nakakatulong.

5. HIGIT SA LAHAT: Patuloy na MAGDASAL at magtiwala sa AWA at kabutihan ng Diyos.

PAUNAWA: 

We are now in crisis because of this pandemic and we are faced with 2 OPTIONS:

1. TO BE PART OF THE PROBLEM; or 

2. TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION THROUGH OUR OWN SIMPLE WAYS.

Special Thanks:  SA LAHAT PO NG MGA FRONTLINERS headed by:

Dr. Rachel Garcia & DOH staff; DR. Gerry Caballes & PHO; Dr. Manuel Zaratan & MPH Frontliners; Dr. Arlie Vertucio & Sta Cruz Hospital; Dra. Josine Oblipias & all TMH; Office of Gov. Presby Velasco Jr., Office of Speaker LordAllan Velasco, Sir Rino Labay & PDDRRMO/Council and staff, Ma'am Mirriam Sadiwa and the Finance team, All Municipal Health Officers & MHO partners in 6 municipalities; All Barangay  Frontliners.

Sa lahat po ng ating mga katuwang sa SERBISYO-PUBLIKO at sa MISYON NG PAGLILINGKOD mula sa iba’t-ibang sector at ahensiya…

Sa mamamayang MARINDUQUENO sa inyong responsableng pakikisangkot & kooperasyon…

MARAMING SALAMAT PO.

GOD BLESS EVERYONE! MISERERE NOBIS!

Inamin ni Fauci na ang COVID-19 ay maaaring nanggaling sa Wuhan Lab matapos itanggi mula nung una pa

Bakit hindi tayo magiging interesado sa pinagmulan ng Covid 19 at kung papaano itong kumalat dahil patuloy tayong nagdurusa? Ang naging paksa kamakailan sa Senado ng U.S. ay "Anthony Fauci over pandemic misinformation" kung saan kasama ang pinondohang NIH 'risky collaborations' ni Fauci sa Wuhan Institute of Virology ay tinutukan

Tanggi ng tanggi sa loob ng isang taon si Fauci na hindi aniya puwedeng manggaling sa Wuhan lab ang coronavirus. Hanggang pinatawag na nga ni Sen, Rand Paul si Fauci sa Senado para sagutin ang mga hawak na ebidensya ni Paul.

Ilang oras matapos ang grilling ni Sen. Paul kay Fauci nag-iba na ang mga sinasabi ng huli:

Fauci Finally Admits COVID-19 May Have Come From Wuhan Lab, ‘Not Convinced’ Of Natural Origin

Earlier this month, just hours after Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) dragged Anthony Fauci over pandemic misinformation – and the fact that Fauci’s NIH funded risky collaborations at the Wuhan Institute of Virology – the nation’s top virologist (and highest-paid government employee) furiously backpedaled over the origins of the pandemic in what we can only assume was an effort to redirect attention from his own culpability.

Recall that since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, Fauci parroted CCP talking points – insisting that the virus couldn’t possibly have come from a Chinese lab.

Yet, hours after Rand Paul’s grilling – Fauci suddenly changed his tune during an afternoon Poynter event on “United Facts of America: A Festival of Fact-Checking,” according to the Fox News.

When asked by Katie Sanders of Politifact if he was still confident that COVID-19 developed naturally, Fauci responded: “No actually. “I am not convinced about that, I think we should continue to investigate what went on in China until we continue to find out to the best of our ability what happened.”

“Certainly, the people who investigated it say it likely was the emergence from an animal reservoir that then infected individuals, but it could have been something else, and we need to find that out. So, you know, that’s the reason why I said I’m perfectly in favor of any investigation that looks into the origin of the virus,” he added, nervously.

Watch below – and notice how Fauci gets upset that Paul brought up NIH funding – while misdirecting with the false argument nobody is making that the NGO he funded, EcoHealth Alliance, participated in the creation of COVID-19.

 

As we noted in March, Fauci’s NIH “funded a number of projects that involved WIV scientists, including much of the Wuhan lab’s work with bat coronaviruses. While in 2017, Fauci’s agency resumed funding a controversial grant without the approval of a government oversight body, according to the Daily Caller.

For context, in 2014, the Obama administration temporarily suspended federal funding for gain-of-function research on bat coronaviruses. Four months prior to that decision, Fauci’s NIH effectively shifted this research to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) via a grant to nonprofit group EcoHealth Alliance, headed by Peter Daszak.

The NIH’s first $666,442 installment of EcoHealth’s $3.7 million grant was paid in June 2014, with similar annual payments through May 2019 under the “Understanding The Risk Of Bat Coronavirus Emergence” project.

Notably, the WIV “had openly participated in gain-of-function research in partnership with U.S. universities and institutions” for years under the leadership of Dr. Shi ‘Batwoman’ Zhengli, according to the Washington Post‘s Josh Rogin.

And now, Fauci, who funded EcoHealth, is suddenly putting his hands in the air and playing innocent over the whole thing.

Source: Author: Tyler Durden 

Nation and State 

House urges FDA to expedite procedures for local drug manufacturers

 "Bakit kailangang bumili pa ng mga mamahaling gamot mula sa ibang bansa kung kaya naman nating gawin dito? Mas marami ang matutulungan at matitipid kung tayo mismo ang gumagawa ng mga gamot lalo na ngayong pandemya."

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco is looking to the local pharmaceutical industry to boost the country’s capability in the fight against the pandemic, saying that local companies “play a vital role in helping provide much-needed medicines for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.”

Accordingly, Velasco appealed to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve the efficiency and promptness of its procedures, specifically concerning the applications of local pharmaceutical companies for Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) and Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) permits.

“While we understand the need for thorough study of drugs and medicines, we need to balance it out by making compliance easier for local pharmaceutical firms by cutting out unnecessary red tape and redundant requirements," the House leader said.

He added: “There are countless reports of local drug manufacturers whose products have been stuck in regulatory limbo for years. These bureaucratic impediments are something that we need to eliminate, especially during a public health crisis.”

Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera echoed Velasco’s sentiments. "The spectrum of medical therapies to treat COVID-19 is growing and evolving rapidly, and the FDA has actually allowed some of these therapies to be used for emergencies," she said.

"Sadly, while they can be prescribed by doctors, these medicines are often impossible to obtain,” Herrera said. “Local manufacturers are ready, willing, and able to produce them, but it takes the FDA an inordinately long time to process and approve their requests."

Based on computations from the current FDA checklist, it will take a company a minimum of eight months to complete the requirements needed for the issuance of a CPR. According to business insiders, however, CPRs usually take far longer than that, if they are even issued at all.

"Even from a trade and industry perspective, it is alarming that a number of local pharma producers have actually been forced to close, simply because they could no longer afford to wait for the FDA to grant them their permits," Herrera lamented. "Can you just imagine how much this dilemma is magnified, now that actual lives are at stake?"

The party-list solon further brought up the possibility of instituting government support for the beleaguered industry. “There is an actual and realistic opportunity for us to produce our own medicines, that are at par with the ones we are importing,” Herrera pointed out.

“We should throw our support behind these local pharma companies, because the ripple effect will benefit public health, job creation, and overall economic activity,” she added.

Herrera said this can be done through direct grants from Bayanihan 3, soft loans or credit subsidies, or tax considerations. “Now is the perfect time to look into these options, and to maximize our resources," she concluded.

This article first appeared in Philippine Manila Times FB page

Speaker Velasco: Economic managers identifying sources of funds for Bayanihan 3

 

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has disclosed that the country’s economic managers are now studying potential funding sources for Bayanihan 3, a proposal seen as a “lifeline” amid the raging pandemic that continues to cripple the economy and hurt the livelihood of millions of Filipinos.

According to Velasco, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado told him in a virtual meeting last April 8 that the Department of Finance and the Department of Budget and Management are now in the process of identifying sources of funds in order to move forward Bayanihan 3, which is meant to hasten the country’s economic recovery from the ravage of the health crisis.

“I am very thankful to Secretary Dominguez and Secretary Avisado for recognizing the importance of Bayanihan 3 in addressing financial gaps to better manage the government’s response to the impact of the pandemic,” Velasco told leaders of key political parties and party-list groups in the House of Representatives during a virtual meeting held on Monday.

“Our economic managers see Bayanihan 3 as a lifeline for many Filipinos facing economic hardship during this crisis, and I’m very glad that we are aligned on this,” the Speaker added. 

Velasco and Marikina City 2nd District Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo, a noted economist, earlier filed their own version of Bayanihan 3 under House Bill 8628 or the “Bayanihan to Arise As One Act,” which proposes a P420-billion fund to stimulate the nation’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

The measure seeks to allocate P108 billion for additional social amelioration to impacted households, P100 billion for capacity-building for impacted sectors, P52 billion for wage subsidies, P70 billion for capacity-building for agricultural producers, P30 billion for internet allowances to students and teachers, P30 billion for assistance to displaced workers, P25 billion for COVID-19 treatment and vaccines, and P5 billion for the rehabilitation of areas impacted by recent floods and typhoons.

Under the measure, each household member will receive P1,000 regardless of their economic status. On top of this, a P1,000 allowance will be provided to each student and teacher, and P8,000 for every displaced worker.

HB 8628 is pending with the House Committee on Economic Affairs, which created a technical working group to consolidate all Bayanihan 3-related measures.

Velasco said he expects that the Bayanihan 3 will be approved by the committee before the House resumes session on May 17.

“We are extremely hopeful for the passage of Bayanihan 3, which is a much-bigger, well-targeted and proportionate stimulus package that would help struggling Filipinos and revive our pandemic-ravaged economy,” Velasco said.

“A third round of fiscal support is in order to relieve the economic struggle experienced by many Filipinos, particularly those with low incomes, and help businesses stay afloat during the pandemic,” he added.

To date, 224 members from the supermajority, minority and independent blocs in the House have signed either as principal authors or co-authors of Velasco’s Bayanihan 3 bill. - House of Representatives of the Philippines

'Worrying sign' and top 15 countries with the most COVID cases and deaths

 

COVID CASES, DEATHS

U.S.A.

More than 30 million people have been infected by the coronavirus in the United States since the pandemic began and more than 547.000 people have died. U.S. deaths reported per day: 4,000

BRAZIL

Brazil reported a record high of 100,000 new coronavirus cases in a day Thursday (March 18), just days after the country’s official death toll from the pandemic surpassed 300,000.

(Washington Post, March 27, 2021)

‘Worrying sign’: Global coronavirus deaths rise for 1^st time in 6 weeks

A top WHO expert on the coronavirus pandemic said Monday the weekly global count of deaths from COVID-19 is rising again, a “worrying sign” after about six weeks of declines.

Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead on COVID-19 at the U.N. health agency, said the growth followed a fifth straight week of confirmed cases increasing worldwide. She said the number of reported cases went up in four of the WHO’s six regions, though there were significant variations within each region.

The increase is due in part to the spread of a variant that first emerged in Britain and is now circulating in many other places, including eastern Europe, she said.

Global COVID:

Tracking countries with the most virus cases, deaths on March 20, 2021.

Identifying the top 15 countries currently most affected by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Data as of 12:26 p.m. on March 20, 2021

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases around the world is 122,498,605. 

Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 cases.

1.        1.  United States – 29,742,662 COVID cases

2.        2. Brazil – 11,871,390 COVID cases

3.        3, India – 11,871,390 COVID cases

4.       4. Russia – 4,397,816 COVID cases

5.       5. United Kingdom – 4,304,803 COVID cases

6.       6. France – 4,242,178 COVID cases

7.       7. Italy – 3,332,418 COVID cases

8.       8. Spain – 3,212,332 COVID cases

9.       9. Turkey – 2,971,633 COVID cases

1      10. Germany – 2,656,104 COVID cases

   11. Colombia - 2,324,426 COVID cases

   12. Argentina - 2,234,913 COVID cases

   13. Mexico - 2,187,910 COVID cases

   14. Poland - 2,036,700 COVID cases

   15. Iran - 1,793,805 COVID cases

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths around the world is 2,704,141.

Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 DEATHS.

1.       1, United States – 541,259 COVID deaths

2.       2. Brazil – 290,314 COVID deaths

3.       3. Mexico – 197,219 COVID deaths

4.       4. India – 159,558 COVID deaths

5.       5. United Kingdom – 126,359 COVID deaths

6.      6.  Italy – 104,241 COVID deaths

7.      7.  Russia – 93,090 COVID deaths

8.       8. France – 91,843 COVID deaths

9.       9. Germany – 74,643 COVID deaths

1       10.  Spain – 72,910 COVID deaths

    11. Colombia - 61,771 COVID deaths

    12. Iran - 61,724 COVID deaths

    13. Argentina - 54,476 COVID deaths

    14. South Africa - 52,035 COVID deaths

    15. Peru - 49,897 COVID deaths

All data is sourced from John Hopkins University’s global COVID-19 data.

Random News Headlines so you know. 

BECAUSE WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER, RIGHT? Be a responsible citizen.

Meanwhile,

Daily COVID-19 cases in the Philippines surpass 10,000 for 1st time, India's tally crosses 12 million

The daily COVID-19 cases in the Philippines on Monday surpassed 10,000 for the first time, while India's tally crossed 12 million with 68,020 new cases. 

The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported 10,016 new COVID-19 infections, the highest ever daily tally since the outbreak began in January last year, raising the nationwide count to 731,894. The death toll climbed to 13,186 after 16 more patients died from the viral disease. 

India's COVID-19 tally crossed 12 million mark, reaching 12,039,644 as 68,020 new cases were reported across the country, the highest daily spike this year, according to the latest figures released by the federal health ministry. A total of 291 deaths were reported since Sunday morning, taking the death toll to 161,843.

(Xinhua HK, March 29, 2021)

DFA data on OFWs as of March 29, 2021

ASEAN coronavirus updates (by country) as of March 19, 2021

 

ASEAN coronavirus updates (by country)

Brunei

Brunei has joined the global Covax scheme and is expecting to have the COVID-19 vaccine in Q1 2021, having sourced enough supplies to cover 50% of the population. Discussions are on-going with other suppliers.   

Brunei saw seven new cases on March 14, taking the total to 199.

Brunei reported one new case on March 6, taking the total to 186.

Brunei recorded one new case on February 17, taking the total to 185.

One new case reported on February 12, taking the total to 184.

Cambodia

Cambodia is expected to import vaccines from both China and Russia. China’s vaccines are still undergoing clinical trials while Russia has already commenced production. Australia has offered financial support to aid vaccine coverage in several southeast Asia countries including Cambodia.  

Cambodia reported 36 new cases on March 18, taking the total to 1,541 amid one death.

Cambodia reported 75 new cases on March 17, taking the total to 1,505 amid one death.

Cambodia recorded 105 new cases on March 16, taking the total to 1,430 amid one death.

Indonesia

Indonesia has commenced vaccinations with just over nine million doses being given to front line workers from last month. China’s Sinovac is in discussions with Indonesia to provide supplies, however, the Government faces difficulties with a large population of 268 million and price sensitivity at Sinovac’s estimated costs at 200,000 rupiah (US$20) a dose. Indonesia’s Health Ministry’s Disease Control and Prevention Director-General Achmad Yurianto said that vaccinations would only be provided to citizens aged 18-59. The vaccine has also been required to pass halal certification prior to use and it is uncertain how the country can source enough vaccines to reach a sizeable part of its population.  Australia has stated it will also provide financial support to solve these issues.  

Indonesia reported 6,570 new cases and 227 deaths on March 18, taking the tallies to 1,443,853 cases and 39,142 deaths.

Indonesia saw 6,825 new cases and 162 deaths on March 17, bringing the totals to 1,437,283 cases and 38,915 deaths.

Indonesia recorded 5,414 new cases and 180 deaths on March 16, taking the tallies to 1,430,458 cases and 38,753 deaths.

Laos

Laos has been trialing the Russian Sputnik V vaccine and is also in discussions with China about acquiring supplies.  

Laos reported one new case on March 17, bringing the total to 49.

As of March 13, Laos has 48 cases.

Two new cases reported on March 5, taking the total to 47.

Malaysia

Malaysia is to provide vaccines free of charge to its nationals, but foreigners will need to pay for the treatment, according to the Malaysian Minister of Health, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who has signed a deal with Pfizer for 12.8 million doses. These will be administered in two stages of 6.4 million people each, with the program to commence in Q1 2021. The country aims to inoculate between 80-100% of its citizens. 

Malaysia reported 1,213 new cases and three deaths on March 18, taking the totals to 328,466 cases and 1,223 deaths.

Malaysia saw 1,219 new cases and two deaths on March 17, bringing the totals to 327,253 cases and 1,220 deaths.

Malaysia recorded 1,063 new cases and five deaths on March 16, bringing the tallies to 326,034 cases and 1,218 deaths.

Myanmar

Myanmar is seeking assistance from the Gavi and Covax programs to acquire vaccines, while Australia is also providing financial relief. At present, the Government aims to treat 20 percent of the ‘most at risk’ in the country with vaccines. The Government is struggling with finances and logistics and is also under US sanctions, while cases are surging. The Government has banned the celebration of Christmas and other seasonal celebrations.   

The country saw 22 new cases and one death on March 18, taking the tallies to 142,212 cases and 3,204 deaths.

Myanmar reported 11 new cases on March 17, bringing the total to 142,190 cases amid 3,203 deaths.

Myanmar reported 15 new cases and one death on March 16, taking the total to 142,162 cases and 3,203 deaths.

Philippines

The Philippines aims to commence vaccinations from June 2021 and expects to inoculate about 25 million people (about 25 percent of its population) over the course of the year. The country has been badly affected by the virus and has the second-highest rate in Southeast Asia. The business community has reacted, more than 30 local companies signed an agreement to purchase at least 2.6 million vaccine doses from AstraZeneca in the country’s first such deal to secure coronavirus vaccines, ten days ago. They plan to donate a large part of the doses to the government for its planned vaccination program and use the rest to inoculate their employees. 

The Philippines reported 5,290 new cases and 21 deaths on March 18, taking the totals to 640,984 cases and 12,887 deaths.

The Philippines saw 4,387 new cases and 18 deaths on March 17, bringing the tallies to 635,698 cases and 12,866 deaths.

The Philippines recorded 4,437 new cases and 11 deaths on March 16, taking the totals to 631,320 cases and 12,848 deaths.

Singapore

Singapore has been working on producing its own ‘Lunar’ vaccine, in a joint venture between the US company Arcturus together with the Duke-NUS medical school. It is a single dose, mRNA shot, developed from genetically engineering COVID-19 genes into an otherwise harmless virus. This technique is marginally safer than other vaccines which rely on dead Covid-19 material to provoke an immune response. The vaccine is expected to be available from Q1 2021. High-risk personnel will receive the vaccine first in a process to be determined by the government.     

Singapore reported 15 new cases on March 18, taking the total to 60,152 amid 29 deaths.

Singapore saw nine new cases on March 17, bringing the total to 60,137 amid 29 deaths.

Singapore reported 11 new cases on March 16, bringing the total to 60,128 cases amid 29 deaths.

Thailand

Thailand is currently expecting vaccines to be delivered in mid-2021. The doses would cover 13 million people in a population of about 69 million. Thailand’s National Vaccine Institute signed a non-refundable advance market commitment contract worth 2.38 billion baht (US$79 million) with AstraZeneca to reserve the supplies. Discussions are also on-going with Oxford University in the UK to secure a vaccine that could be available in Q1 if trials are completed in time.   

The country reported 92 new cases and one death on March 18, bringing the total to 27,494 cases and 88 deaths.

Thailand saw 248 new cases and one death on March 17, taking the total to 27,402 and 88 deaths.

Thailand recorded 149 new cases on March 16, taking the total to 27,154 amid 87 deaths.

Vietnam

Vietnam’s National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE), a division of Vietnam’s Ministry of Health, has signed an agreement with Medigen Vaccine, a Taipei, Taiwan-based vaccine company to secure the supply of 3 million to 10 million COVID-19 vaccine doses in 2021. Medigen is currently conducting Phase II studies of the vaccine, co-developed with the USA’s National Institutes of Health (NIH), in Taiwan and Vietnam with a view to a Q1 2021 rollout.  

Vietnam is also working on producing its own vaccine, with the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC) in Nha Trang City, partnering with New York City-based Icahn School of Medicine and the global health non-profit organization PATH. Phase 1 trials are already underway in Vietnam, while Phases 2 & 3 will be conducted at the beginning of 2021. The institute plans to submit documents for approval to the health ministry as early as April next year and claims to be capable of producing 30 million doses a year, expecting that a national vaccine could be distributed to the general population in October 2021. 

As of March 19, 2021, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health confirmed a total of 2,570 cases of COVID-19. However, 2,198 of the affected patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals. Vietnam has also recorded 35 deaths due to the pandemic. The latest community transmission cases were reported from Hai Duong.

As of March 18, 2021, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health confirmed a total of 2,567 cases of COVID-19. However, 2,198 of the affected patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals. Vietnam has also recorded 35 deaths due to the pandemic. The latest community transmission cases were reported from Hai Duong.

As of March 17, 2021, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health confirmed a total of 2,560 cases of COVID-19. However, 2,158 of the affected patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals. Vietnam has also recorded 35 deaths due to the pandemic. The latest community transmission cases were reported from Hai Duong.

See running live updates on ASEAN BRIEFING

Time out sa Covid: Pope Francis celebrates Mass for 500 years of Christianity in Philippines

 Pope Francis celebrates Mass to mark the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines, and urges Filipinos to renew their commitment to Christ as missionary disciples.

Filipinos at the Vatican Mass. Image Credit Reuters

Pope Francis on Sunday joined the Church in the Philippines in commemorating 500 years of Christianity in the Southeast Asian nation. 

He celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica with several representatives of the Filipino Church, including Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, formerly the Archbishop of Manila.

 

Missionary disciples

In his homily, the Pope said Filipinos received the joy of the Gospel half a millennia ago, “and this joy is evident in your people.”

 “We see it in your eyes, on your faces, in your songs and in your prayers,” he said. “I want to thank you for the joy you bring to the whole world and to our Christian communities.” 

Recognizing the witness of faith Filipinos offer through their “discreet and hardworking presence”, Pope Francis also urged them to “persevere in the work of evangelization.” 

He said the Gospel message of God’s closeness must be constantly proclaimed to others, so that none might perish. 

As the Church in the Philippines celebrates the quincentenary of her birth, the Pope urged Filipino Catholics to walk courageously along the path of missionary discipleship. 

“Never be afraid to proclaim the Gospel, to serve and to love,” he said. “With your joy, you will help people to say of the Church too: ‘she so loved the world!’”

Pope Francis arrives to hold the mass at St. Peter's Basilica.

 

Jesus is source of our joy

Turning his reflections to the Sunday Gospel, Pope Francis pointed out that it contains the heart of the Gospel message. “God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son” (Jn 3:16). 

He added that the Gospel message is not an idea or doctrine, but Jesus Himself. 

“The source of our joy is not an elegant theory about how to find happiness, but the actual experience of being accompanied and loved throughout the journey of life.” 

The Holy Father then spoke about two aspects of the day’s Gospel passage: “God so loved” and “God gave.”

 

‘God so loved’

Pope Francis said that “God so loved” that He came to seek us out when we were lost and raise us up. 

“He has always looked at us with love, and for the sake of love, He came among us in the flesh of his Son,” said the Pope. “In Jesus, God spoke the definitive word about our life: you are not lost, you are loved. Loved forever.” 

He added that sometimes we prefer a “glum, sorrowful, and self-absorbed religiosity”, even though the Gospel should “enlarge our hearts and make us grasp the immensity of God’s love.”

 

‘God gave’

Pope Francis then reflected on the action of God’s love: “God gave his Son” for our salvation. 

Love, noted the Pope, takes us out of ourselves, and always seeks to give itself fully. 

“That is the power of love,” he said, “it shatters the shell of our selfishness, breaks out of our carefully constructed security zones, tears down walls and overcomes fears, so as to give freely of itself.” 

God’s love in Jesus, said Pope Francis, is so great that “He cannot fail to give Himself to us.”

 

Several members of the Filipino community attended the mass

Joy in self-giving

As we see in people who love one another and share their lives in love, he said, “the more we love, the more we become capable of giving.” 

The Pope said that sometimes we seek joy in dreams of glory or in the false security of material possessions. 

Yet, true joy can only be found in complete self-giving, as God shows in giving His Son. 

“Life teaches us that true joy comes from realizing that we are loved gratuitously,” concluded Pope Francis, “knowing that we are not alone, having someone who shares our dreams and who, when we experience shipwreck, is there to help us and lead us to a safe harbor.” - Vatican News