COVID-19 Crisis: More boosted patients – including the comorbid aged 18 to 49 – declared eligible for 2nd booster shot

Finally, the Department of Health (DOH) declared that more patients, specifically comorbid patients aged 18 to 49 years old as well as all patients aged 50-above, are eligible to avail of the 2nd booster shot for COVID-19, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) article. Take note that almost 16 million people here in the Philippines received their 1st booster shots while the 2nd booster shot was issued to a very specific, few types of patients. As such, only a small number of the boosted patients managed to get a 2nd booster shot.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

All adults aged 50 years old and above and individuals aged 18 years to 49 years with comorbidities can now receive a second booster or fourth dose of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine.

This was after the Department of Health (DOH), through the National Covid-19 Vaccination Operations Center, issued the guidelines for its nationwide rollout.

In a statement Tuesday night, the DOH said the rollout follows the expansion of the emergency use authorization issued by the Food and Drug Administration, which allows certain Covid-19 vaccine brands to be used as second booster doses in the expanded population groups.

It also follows the recommendations provided by the Health Technology Assessment Council.

Pfizer (Tozinameran) and Moderna (Spikevax) are the only mRNA vaccine brands that could be used as a second booster shot, which must be administered at least four months after the first booster or the third dose was given.

Eligible individuals may receive their second booster shot from their local government units (LGUs) or vaccination sites nearest to them.

They are advised to bring their vaccination card and a valid ID.

A medical certificate is not required, even for individuals with comorbidities.

However, medical screeners or doctors at the vaccination sites are authorized to assess and determine whether an individual could or could not receive the second booster shot.

On Tuesday, the DOH launched the PinasLakas booster campaign across the country.

Vaccination activities will be conducted in schools, malls, plazas, and places of worship under the campaign, making Covid-19 vaccines and booster shots more accessible to the people.

As for the house-to-house vaccination, concerned individuals are encouraged to get in touch with their LGUs for guidelines and schedules.

“As vaccine immunity wanes over time, we are dedicated to helping our people remain protected against Covid-19. We are making it easier for as many of our people to avail of the primary series and boosters, including second boosters,” DOH Officer in Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

Vaccination, paired with adherence to the minimum public health standards remains the “best defense” amid the pandemic, she added.

The above report ended stating that more than 71 million patients have been fully vaccinated (2 doses of most COVID-19 vaccines) as of July 25, 2022, and less than 16 million patients got their booster shots as of July 17, 2022. Recently it was reported that the number of patients who received the 2nd booster shot totaled 1.1 million.

This is so far the best news about the nation’s COVID-19 matters released so far. There are so many millions of fully vaccinated patients counted and only a minority of them got the 1st booster shot, while an even smaller minority of the boosted patients got the 2nd booster shot. Take note that there are some patients who received their first booster shot more than six months ago and have been waiting for the green light to get their 2nd booster shot. It took the DOH and other national authorities long but they finally made the moves to accommodate more patients. Clearly, making 2nd booster shots more available to the boosted patients of the Philippines is the right move.

No matter what the anti-vaccine fanatics out there say, COVID-19 is still the main problem, not vaccines and not vaccination. Clearly the anti-vaccine fanatics don’t have any solutions to the COVID-19 crisis. The anti-vaccine fanatics themselves are the additional problems for the entire nation which so happens to be connected to the Internet.

Let me end this by asking you readers: Are you a boosted patient who has been eagerly waiting for clearance to get the 2nd booster shot? If you are, how long has it been since you got the first booster shot and how long have you been waiting? Which brand of vaccine do you want for your 2nd booster shot, Pfizer or Moderna? Do you believe that the anti-vaccine fanatics of the Philippines have been hounding vaccinated patients to make vaccination efforts nationwide fail miserably?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

COVID-19 Crisis: Department of Health (DOH) pushing to redefine fully vaccinated status

For some time now, the terms fully vaccinated has officially been used by the national authorities to describe a patient who received two doses of most COVID-19 vaccine brands (note: Janssen vaccine from Johnson & Johnson is a single dose vaccine). That may soon change as the Department of Health (DOH) is pushing to redefine what fully vaccinated means in relation to the recent COVID-19 developments here in the Philippines, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of Health (DOH) said it will push for the redefinition of “fully vaccinated” against Covid-19— which is to include a booster dose.

“Katulad ng nasabi namin noon, we’ll be really supporting, we have recommended the redefinition of our fully vaccinated–kung saan ang first two doses plus yung booster shot (As we have said before, we’ll be really supporting, we have recommended the redefinition of our fully vaccinated – first two doses plus a booster shot),” said DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire in a press briefing on Wednesday, July 20.

Such a move can be used as “incentives and disincentives to people,” said Vergeire.

“So, people cannot go to these public spaces or cannot enter restaurants and they just eat outside if they don’t have that fully vaccinated status. ‘Yun sana yung gusto natin ipatupad pero siyempre marami dapat tayong ikonsidera kapag ginawa natin ito (That’s what we want to implement but of course, we have a lot to consider before we can do this)” she said.

“Kaya patuloy pakikipagusap sa iba’t-ibang ahensya pati na rin sa (We continue to discuss this with various agencies as well as the) Office of the President if this is going to be feasible or not. So, hahantayin po natin na mabuo ang ating pakikipag-usap para hindi natin maiwan ang ibang sektor sa usapin na ito (So, we will wait for all discussions to be completed so that we do not leave other sectors behind in this matter),” she added.

Vergeire said they will propose this strategy once the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) is reconstituted.

“Primarily that’s what we are thinking about. Hopefully in the coming days, pag convene ng IATF, mailagay na natin sa ating agenda, mapag-usapan, mapagkasunduan, at mairekomenda na uli sa ating Presidente (when the IATF convenes, we will be able to put this on our agenda, discussed, come up with a decision, and make the recommendations to the President),” she said.

Second booster – In a related development, the DOH is not yet recommending the second booster shot for the general population.

“Hanggang sa ngayon, sinasabi ng mga eksperto (Until now, experts say)—especially for the general population—your first two doses and your first booster shot are still enough to protect you from severe and critical illness from this Covid-19 virus,” said Vergeire.

It is different for the immunocompromised, seniors, and healthcare workers. Kasi sila, hindi ganun ka robust ang kanilang immunity sa katawan… kaya binibigyan pa sila ng another dose (Because their immunity in the body is not that robust… so they are given another dose). That is based on evidence. Itong second booster for general population, hanggang sa ngayon, sparse pa rin ang datos para makapagbigay ng ebidensya that we can give this to our general population (This second booster for the general population, until now, the data is still sparse in order to provide evidence that we can give this to our general population),” she added.

As of this writing, the current definition of fully vaccinated still remains in effect. It will take the approval of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. to make the revision happen at all.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this new development? What do you think about the DOH’s push to have fully vaccinated redefined? Do you think this will lead to confusion among all the people who got vaccinated with two doses nationwide?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: Philippines pandemic exit strategy coming

It has been over two years since the entire Philippines first got setback economically and socially by the COVID-19 crisis. Until now, people, private organizations and businesses are still struggling to fully recover from the varied effects that come with government-imposed restrictions, limitations on business-related activities, and the public’s complacency towards COVID-19. It is bad enough that the Philippines now has a core of anti-vaccine fanatics who are misinforming and scaring people while offering no real solutions to the problems.

Speaking of solutions, a pandemic exit strategy is brewing high up in the government and it should be sent to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., soon, according to a recent report by the Manila Bulletin.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

A Cabinet member has committed that the proposed pandemic exit strategy crafted by a panel of medical experts will be endorsed to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Former presidential adviser and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion said that Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos will endorse the proposal which the government can adopt to help the country transition from pandemic to normalcy.

In a statement, Concepcion said “Abalos said he will endorse the presentation of the proposals to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.”

Abalos also said that he “will organize a meeting with the Department of Health (DOH) to initiate more vaccinations at the community level.”

Abalos also agreed on the importance of raising booster vaccination rates to 70 percent of the eligible population which is included in the pandemic exit proposal.

“Kailangan ng isa pa. Isa pa para sa mga pamilya, isa pa para sa komunidad (We need one more One more for our families, one more for our community),” Abalos said.

With this, Concepcion also renewed his call to push for one more massive effort for vaccination.

Complacency is really the problem. There is no sense of urgency because people don’t see what might happen if our wall of immunity starts to weaken,” he said.

Concepcion explained that re-infections are quite possible, and that cases of long Covid have grave consequences on productivity, and ultimately, the economy.

He echoed Abalos’ statement that “we need to convince people that they need boosters.”

The DILG Chief recently met with Concepcion and members of the Advisory Council of Experts (ACE), a group of medical doctors, scientists and academics comprising the country’s foremost authorities on public health, molecular biology, disaster resilience, data insight and analysis, and economics.

The group’s proposal outlined parameters to ease the country into normalcy and encourage economic activity without risking the public’s health. It has been met with approval from the private sector, including several industry groups and businessmen.

Abalos further expressed optimism as the proposal was an initiative of the private sector, and that it puts emphasis on the importance of achieving high booster vaccination rates.

As you can see in the above news excerpt, national government officials, private sector members and other stakeholders have been brainstorming and discussing ways with the exit strategy in mind to truly lift the nation further from the COVID-19 crisis. Former presidential adviser Joey Concepcion is absolutely right when he pointed to complacency which is an enduring problem on the part of the public when it comes to how they perceived COVID-19, vaccination and health. I am certain that a lot of people got fooled by the anti-vaccine fanatics who keep on spreading misinformation and fear.

On the aspect of vaccination, I do agree that a major renewal of COVID-19 vaccination and booster shot rollouts should happen soon. I’m talking about reopening the closed vaccination sites, deploying a lot of health workers with lots of supplies of vaccines prepared, and making sure that each vaccination hub is well organized (note: we don’t want a repeat of the very embarrassing Parañaque Pfizer vaccine launch of May 2021). In addition, the national authorities should come up with ways to make economic recovery more achievable for businesses and employees. On the topic of new infections caused by Omicron and its subvariants, our nation should serious consider acquiring more Sputnik vaccines as those have proven to be very effective against Omicron. Whatever the details they are discussing, the pandemic exit strategy for the Philippines something that everyone should watch out for.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this new development? Do you think that the national authorities and other stakeholders will be able come up with a pandemic exit strategy that will work? Do you think that the anti-vaccine fanatics will ramp up their misinformation campaign and fearmongering now that they know a national pandemic exit strategy is being developed? Do you think President Marcos will spend sufficient time to review the pandemic exit strategy before issuing his response?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others as well as making a donation to support my publishing.. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: OCTA’s Dr. Guido David states that the growth rate of NCR COVID-19 cases is slowing down

Even though it has been confirmed by the Department of Health (DOH) that the nation registered more than 10,000 new COVID-19 cases for the period of July 4 to 10, 2022, Dr. Guido David of OCTA Research stated that there is a slowing down of the growth rate at 32%, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…

The COVID-19 wave in the National Capital Region could already be close to peaking following the decrease of the weekly growth rate, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said Tuesday.

In a tweet, David said it is possible the COVID-19 wave in the region could have peaked already, citing the decrease of growth rate from 57% on July 4 to 32% on July 11.

He said the positivity rate was 10.9% as of July 10. The positivity rate refers to the percentage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested.

The indicators show a slowing down of the growth rate in cases and there is a chance that cases in the NCR are peaking or have already peaked,” David said.

“The trends should be clearer after a week. The seven-day average in cases in the NCR was 710 as of July 11, equivalent to an ADAR (average daily attack rate) of 4.93% per day per 100,000,” he added.

The ADAR pertains to the incidence showing the average number of new cases in a period per 100,000 people.

Now that you have read the above news, it is important right now to get yourselves vaccinated or boosted for COVID-19 not just for your sake but also for your family’s safety as well as your job. I urge you all to reject whatever pieces of misinformation and distorted details of COVID-19 that the anti-vaccine fanatics throw at you.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this new development? Do you think that the NCR won’t end up with a higher average of new COVID-19 cases over the next few weeks? Have you encountered the anti-vaccine fanatics lately? Are you aware that anti-vaccine fanatics have no real solutions to offer with regards to the COVID-19 crisis everyone is struggling with?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: President Marcos says the wearing of face masks would become optional if booster shot campaign succeeds

If you are sick or tired of wearing face masks after enduring more than two years of this COVID-19 crisis we are still living with, you are not alone. Recently, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. stated that the wearing of face masks would become optional if the booster shot campaign succeeds, the Manila Bulletin reported.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

Wearing of face masks would become optional if the government’s booster shot drive against Covid-19 succeeds, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said.

Marcos, however, said that easing of restrictions to that extent would be a long shot as his administration attempts to duplicate the national vaccination rollout done last year.

“[L]et us return to the idea of what we did last year na magkaroon ulit ng (to have another) vaccine rollout. Gawin na natin ito para makatiyak na tayo (Let’s do this now so we can be assured),” the President said in his virtual speech during his supposed face-to-face meeting with local government units officials in Malacañang on Friday night, July 8.

At pagka maging matagumpay ang ating booster rollout ay makikita naman natin siguro puwede na nating ibaba ang mga alert level, puwede na nating gawing optional ang mask (And if the booster rollout succeeds, perhaps we can lower the alert level and make wearing of mask optional),” Marcos added.

The Chief Executive stressed that making the wearing of masks optional will not be enforced until it’s crystal clear that it will be safe to do so in order to prevent the return of surging cases in the country.

“Pero hindi po natin gagawin ‘yan hanggang maliwanag na maliwanag na safe na talaga. Dahil although so far maganda naman ang takbo, hindi naman napupuno ang mga ospital. Ngunit kung hindi tayo maingat, mapupunta na naman tayo doon (But we will not do that yet until it is very clear that it’s already safe. Because although, so far, hospitals are not overwhelmed, if we don’t remain cautious, we will again go back there),” Marcos said.

The government is planning to implement a booster rollout for children in an attempt to fully open schools for face-to-face classes before the year ends.

Making the wearing of face masks optional is a new challenge not just for the national government but also for the provincial government units and local government units that are doing their respective parts in the fight against COVID-19. In recent times, it was reported that more than 70 million people nationwide got fully vaccinated (2 doses of most COVID-19 vaccines) while more than 15 million got their first booster shot.

I personally support the idea of intensifying the booster shot campaign as only a minority of the fully vaccinated patients got boosted. That being said, it would also be good for the country if only the Department of Health (DOH) would officially declare more boosted patients (including the comorbid patients among them) eligible to get their 2nd booster shots, especially if more than six months had passed since the first booster shot was administered to them. Clearly, more COVID-19 vaccination sites need to be set up on the local level to ensure better immunization. In fact, the vaccination sites that got closed down need to be reopened. As for the national government, they need to release COVID-19 vaccines that are nearing expiration. Let me add that the national daily count of new COVID-19 cases exceeded 2,000.

Let me end this by asking you readers: Do you desire that the national government and other government units nationwide would declare the wearing of face masks optional? What do you think the DOH should do next in order to allow more patients to get their first or second booster shots? Are the anti-vaccine fanatics out there still bothering you or even harassing you? Do you realize that the anti-vaccine fanatics offer no real solutions to the COVID-19 problems of our nation?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

COVID-19 Crisis: Rise of cases in Muntinlupa City not a cause for alarm yet

Today, Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon gave an important update about the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city and specified that it is not a cause for alarm yet, the Manila Bulletin reported.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon reminded the public to follow health protocols such as wearing of face masks as the number of Covid-19 cases in the city is rising although not a cause for alarm yet.

This morning I would like to emphasize the reminder on health protocols. Cases are rising although it is not a cause for alarm,” said Biazon during the weekly flag-raising ceremony at the Muntinlupa City hall quadrangle on July 11.

Based on data from the City Health Office (CHO), Muntinlupa added 29 new Covid-19 cases on July 10 to bring the total active cases to 125. There were also 11 patients who recovered and one who died.

The mayor said based on health care utilization rate in Muntinlupa, the Covid-19 situation is not yet a cause for alarm.

So far our health facilities are not overwhelmed, we do not feel that there is a crisis. Cases are rising but we will not be overwhelmed based on the report that was given to me. But that is a reason for us to be on alert. We should never let our guard down,” said Biazon.

He added, “Let us remind everyone to follow protocols, here at work, at home, within the community just to stop the spread. We don’t want that to spread to the point that it will be a concern.”

“As of now, nothing to be alarmed about but we should be alert,” he said.

The above article ended stating that of the 125 COVID-19 cases in Muntinlupa City, 27 of that were in Barangay Cupang, 23 in Barangay Tunasan, 19 in Barangay Alabang and 16 in Barangay Ayala Alabang to name some.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this recent development? Are you feeling uneasy about the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city? What can you say about the reported statements of Mayor Biazon? Were there any anti-vaccine fanatics out there who approached you with their campaign of distorted information? Do you think the anti-vaccine fanatics will organizing something sinister to undermine the City Government of Muntinlupa?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: Online registration process for the first booster shot for immunocompromised minors (aged 12-17) of Las Piñas City is ongoing

In relation to the increased number of COVID-19 cases happening all around Metro Manila, the City Government of Las Piñas recently launched the online registration for the first COVID-19 booster shot (or the 3rd shot following two doses of most COVID-19 vaccines) specifically for local minors aged 12 to 17-years-old, as reported in the Manila Bulletin. The registration is still ongoing.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Las Piñas city government announced that the registration of minors aged 12 to 17 years old under the immunocompromised category is now open to receive their first booster shot.

Mayor Imelda Aguilar told parents or guardians of immunocompromised minors to register at https://laspinascityonline.laspinascity.gov.ph/immunocompromised for their schedule of vaccination of first booster shot.

Aguilar urges residents to answer the question properly including the sickness of the child placed under the immunocompromised category.

She said the vaccination of (first) booster shot for immunocompromised children will be conducted in hospitals.

The mayor encouraged all the parents and guardians to register their children, aged 12-17 years old, for them to get additional protection against the Covid-19 disease.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident, what is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a parent with a child aged 12 to 17-years-old who has been vaccinated with two shots already, are you planning to help your child avail of the first booster shot?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: OCTA says Metro Manila’s COVID-19 cases may peak this month

There is no denying that COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila have been rising which is why there are renewed efforts to encourage people to follow health protocols, wear masks and avoid becoming complacent. That being said, the OCTA Research Group stated that Metro Manila COVID-19 cases may peak this month, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Recently, a slow down on the COVID-19 growth rate was seen.  

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

With the steady increase in new infections in Metro Manila, the OCTA Research Group projected that the Covid-19 cases in the region may peak between the first and second week of July.

In a televised briefing on Monday, July 4, OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David noted that Metro Manila’s Covid-19 growth rate was at 50 percent but that it has slowed down in the past week.

The region’s reproduction number was at around 1.5 to 1.6, while the positivity rate increased from 6 percent to 8.3 percent.

Reproduction number refers to the average number of secondary infections by each infected individual, while positivity rate refers to the number of individuals who yielded positive results from among those who have been tested for Covid-19.

David said that while the Covid growth rate in some areas in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) is increasing, the growth rate in Metro Manila has slowed down but is still increasing.

“We’re hoping the peak will come within one to two weeks. From there, baka magkaroon na ng downtrend (there may already be a downtrend). But then these are just projections. Baka magbago pa ito (These may still change),” David said.

Knowing the newest details from the above news report, it is best to keep on following health protocols as well as getting vaccinated or boosted for COVID-19. Ignore all of those anti-vaccine fanatics and get vaccinated or boosted whenever you have the opportunity to do so. Call your local vaccination site or the local authorities now to find if you are eligible for a vaccine shot or a booster shot. The national authorities, meanwhile, has to move quickly to allow comorbid patients access to 2nd booster shots.

Let me end this by asking you readers: Does the current COVID-19 situation of Metro Manila make you feel uneasy? Have there been any anti-vaccine fanatics who tried to fool you into supporting their cause?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City Mayor Biazon issues orders to deal with rising COVID-19 cases

In the progressive City of Muntinlupa, local cases of COVID-19 have been rising similar to that of the entire Metro Manila. In response, the new city Mayor Ruffy Biazon ordered the departments of the City Government to tackle the COVID-19 problem, according to a Manila Bulletin report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon has ordered city government department heads to address the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the city.

This, after the City Health Office (CHO) reported on July 3 that the number of active Covid-19 cases in Muntinlupa rose to 96 from 45 a week ago.

Muntinlupa’s weekly new Covid-19 cases totaled 164 from June 27 to July 3, an increase of 103 new cases or 168.8 percent from 61 cases tallied from June 20 to 26.

On July 3, the CHO recorded 41 new Covid-19 cases in Muntinlupa from 23 the previous day on July 2 to bring the total active cases to 96.

“Immediate concern natin is rising cases of Covid-19 (Our immediate concern is the rising cases of Covid-19),” said Biazon during the flag-raising ceremony at the Muntinlupa City hall quadrangle on July 4.

He said the rising number of Covid-19 cases “has become a concern” especially if the total breaches the 100 mark.

“I think we really definitely have to take action,” he said.

Biazon said he asked City Administrator Allan Cachuela to convene an emergency briefing about the Covid-19 situation in Muntinlupa.

“Let us take this seriously. Ayaw natin na mag-run away yung problema ng Covid sa Muntinlupa especially that we are still coping with yung recovery from the initial surge and yung epekto ng international situation natin. (We don’t want the problem of Covid in Muntinlupa to run away especially that we are still coping with the recovery from the initial surge and the effects of the international situation),” he said.

The mayor said health protocols should be implemented.

“Let us all be advocates of following health protocols. Let us make sure everyone is well informed of these protocols na dapat nating gawin (Let us make sure everyone is well informed of these protocols that we should do),” he said.

Muntinlupa CHO chief Dr. Juancho Bunyi told Manila Bulletin that the “new cases are close contacts who had their test done in private and tested positive.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think that people in the city have gotten complacent with following health protocols? Do you think that the City Government should set up more new vaccination sites? Do you want to see the Department of Health (DOH) declare more people from the general population to become eligible for the 2nd booster shot? Do you think that the anti-vaccine fanatics and activists will come to Muntinlupa to spread fear and misinformation?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: Moderna vaccination inside Alabang Hills Village set for July 16, 2022

In a recent bulletin published through their official website, the Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) announced that it will be conducting a new vaccination event on July 16, 2022 using doses of COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna. There will be vaccination shots for patients taking their first dose, their second dose, their 1st booster shot (for those who got fully vaccinated already) and the 2nd booster shot (limited to senior citizens, healthcare workers and patients certified as immunocompromised).

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the AHVA bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

Further to our last bulletin on Moderna vaccination events, Bulletin No. 2022-0608 dated June 9, 2022, we are happy to say that we will be conducting another vaccination event on the 16th of July. Zuellig has advised us that we have non-expired stocks of the vaccine in their cold storage, enabling this July 16 vaccination event to be held.

Further, given the DOH’s announcement just yesterday that second boosters can now be administered to immunocompromised children 12-17 years old, this category of individuals will also be included for inoculation on July 16.

The details of the July 16 vaccination event are as follows:

1st and 2nd Doses for General Population
1st Booster for General Population
2nd Booster for Seniors and Healthcare Workers
8:00 AM – 12:00 NN
Multi-purpose Pavilion

2nd Booster for Immunocompromised Individuals including Immunocompromised 12-17 year old children
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Clubhouse entrance via drive-thru

Please note that the DOH has not yet authorized 2nd booster shots for the general population below the age of 60.

Primary Dose Series (1st and 2nd Doses)
If you have not even had yet the first dose of the vaccine, please do take advantage of this July 16 schedule to get inoculated.

If you have not yet had your second dose of the vaccine, please ensure that you will have met the REQUISITE 4 WEEKS INTERVAL between your first and second doses by July 16.

First Booster
For those who would like to get their first booster shot, please ensure that you will have met the REQUISITE 3 MONTHS INTERVAL between your second dose and booster shot by July 16.

Second Booster
If you are a Senior (60 years and above), healthcare worker, or an immunocompromised individual wanting to get your second booster shot, please ensure that you will have met the REQUISITE 4 MONTHS INTERVAL between your first and second booster shots by July 16. This requirement also applies to immunocompromised individuals 12-17 years old.

Immunocompromised individuals are strictly defined by the DOH as those in or with
a. Immunodeficiency state,
b. HIV,
c. Active cancer or malignancy,
d. Transplant recipients,
e. Undergoing steroid treatment,
f. Patients with poor prognosis / bed-ridden patients, and
g. Other conditions of immunodeficiency as certified by a physician.

Immunocompromised individuals must present a current Medical Certificate to be administered a second booster shot. This is a DOH requirement.

The above bulletin stated that patients who want to be added to AHVA’s list for vaccination are to call Jenelyn Esteves or PJ Nierves at landline numbers 8850-8254, 8860-9631 or at mobile number 0906-023-2089 ASAP. Slots for vaccination are limited and the cut-off for registration is set for July 14, 2022 at 10AM.

For the newcomers reading this, the AHVA previously organized Moderna vaccination activities. Those who missed out on that should consider getting listed for the July 16 Moderna vaccination.

For further inquiries, visit https://alabanghillsvillage.com/

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673