COVID-19 Crisis: Metro Manila under Alert Level 2 until December 31, 2021

Good news for people of Metro Manila who are enjoying more liberty to visit friends and families, enjoying shopping and dining, and traveling more! The Alert Level 2 status for Metro Manila, which has been going on for some time now, will remain until December 31, 2021, according to a report published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

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

The Covid-19 Alert Level 2 status in Metro Manila will remain for the rest of the year despite the detection of a third Omicron variant case in the country, National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., said Monday.

The vaccine czar said the possible amendment on the alert level status will be based on the epidemiological recommendations of the Department of Health, considering key factors on cases surge and hospitalization rate.

“If the cases are high, including critical cases, and if the attack rate will increase, that’s the time we will raise our alert level,” Galvez said during a media briefing at a mall vaccination site in Taytay, Rizal.

Galvez said there is a continuing decline in Covid-19 cases in the country, with just 9,592 active infections as of Monday.

“Thank God, we maintained the low positivity rate. Actually, there are some areas that recorded less than one percent of positivity rate,” he added.

Still, he cautioned the public against complacency amid the downtrend.

“For now, we will just maintain the alert level, but we will massively accelerate the vaccination. At the same time, we will revisit our preparations in terms of treatment, quarantine facilities, and hospital treatments as well as the responses of the local government units (LGUs),” he said.

Stringent border control measures against the Omicron variant are also in place, added Galvez.

“Though we prepared a good response in terms of stringent border controls, as I’ve said earlier, we expected that,” he said. “The low cases and figures were sustained despite the opening of our economy.”

Galvez thanked anew LGUs and the private sector for proactively participating in the national Covid-19 vaccination days.

“And we have already reached our milestone of hitting 100 million jabs administered nationwide and we are now reaching 40 percent fully vaccinated out of our total population. That’s a huge milestone,” he said.

Secretary Vince Dizon, the Presidential Adviser on Covid-19 Response and NTF deputy chief, said the decision to impose lockdowns or to raise the alert level status should be based on the set parameters of number of cases, attack rate, and the two-week growth rate.

For some people, the move to retain the Alert Level 2 status for Metro Manila is surprising due to the global hardship caused by the Omicron variant (including becoming the dominant strain in the United States) which is already here in the Philippines. Still there is the fact that the daily count of new COVID-19 infections remains in the few hundreds and so far, the Omicron variant has not created a spike of new cases which is good because the Philippines is now at a stage of economic and social recovery after many months of restrictions. By the way, if you were injected with the Pfizer vaccine and are wondering how protected you are from Omicron, better read my recent article by clicking here. For those who got vaccinated with Sputnik V or Sputnik Light, click here and here.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this latest development? Does the constant reporting of Omicron-related news make you feel uncomfortable? Do you believe the Alert Level 2 status extension for Metro Manila is the right move knowing that there are a few cases of Omicron here in the Philippines?

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/

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: Muntinlupa City approaching 100% full vaccination rate on its target population

Christmas is just a few days away and the good news to hear about Muntinlupa City as of late is that almost 100% of its target population has been fully vaccinated (injected with 2 doses of most brands of COVID-19 vaccines), according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The Muntinlupa City government reported that 96 percent of the city’s target population is now fully vaccinated.

Latest data from the Muntinlupa City Health Office (CHO) showed that as of Dec. 16, a total of 366,023 individuals in Muntinlupa have been vaccinated or 96 percent of the target city population of 383,021.

By vaccination rate by barangay, Buli has 10,377 fully vaccinated individuals or 147 percent of the target population 7,055 followed by Alabang, 54,370 (112 percent); Tunasan, 43,251 (107 percent); Ayala Alabang, 16,603 (102 percent); Cupang, 42,279 (95 percent); Putatan, 59,331 (88 percent); Bayanan, 24,043 (86 percent); Sucat, 32,305 (74 percent); and Poblacion, 64,448 (74 percent). An additional 19,016 individuals have been fully vaccinated.

In addition, the Muntinlupa City government has administered booster shots to 12,500 individuals.

Meanwhile, Muntinlupa’s active coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases logged only eight as of Dec. 17 from seven on Dec. 16.

Muntinlupa recorded three new COVID-19 cases on Dec. 17 and two new recoveries and zero deaths.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what can you say about this latest local development? Does this latest news make you feel comfortable knowing that the country already has Omicron cases?

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@twitter.com as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/

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: Almost 364,000 patients fully vaccinated in Muntinlupa City

As the Omicron variant keeps on distracting people and spreading fear as it gets magnified by the secular, liberal news outlets every day, the City Government of Muntinlupa scored another milestone as the grand total number of local patients who got fully vaccinated (injected with two doses of most COVID-19 vaccines) reached almost 364,000, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Nearly 364,000 individuals are now fully vaccinated in Muntinlupa, according to the city government.

Latest tally as of Dec. 12 showed that 363,688 persons have been fully vaccinated or 94 percent of the target population of 385,725, which is 70 percent of the estimated total population of Muntinlupa of 551,036.

By barangay, Alabang has 53,841 fully vaccinated individuals; Ayala Alabang, 16,670; Bayanan 23,813; Buli, 10,384; Cupang, 41,931; Poblacion, 63,866; Putatan, 58,845; Sucat, 32,211; and Tunasan, 42,925. A total of 19,202 fully vaccinated individuals are classified as “others.”

In addition, 10,519 individuals have been administered booster shots in Muntinlupa as of Dec. 12.

Meanwhile, the number of fully vaccinated minors aged 12 to 17 in Muntinlupa has reached more than 16,000.

As of Dec. 12, a total of 16,743 minors have received the second dose of the vaccine and are now fully vaccinated, representing 30 percent of the total population of 55,391 for the age group.

A total of 27,432 minors got their first dose or 49.5 percent of the 12 to 17-year-old population in the city.

The above report ended stating that more than forty-three thousand minors have been registered with MunCoVac.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what can you say about this latest local development? Are you often disturbed by these constant news reports about the Omicron variant?

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/

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: Las Piñas City’s active COVID-19 cases fall down further

Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar shared the good news that COVID-19 cases in the city fell down and credited their local efforts on encouraging their constituents (including minors) to get vaccinated, the Manila Bulletin reported.

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

Las Pinas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar announced on Thursday, Dec. 9, that active cases of COVID-19 in the city are down to 21 based on the report of the City Health Office (CHO).

Aguilar said the decline in the number of COVID-19 cases in the city “only shows that the effort of the city government in encouraging all its residents to get the jab against the virus is a success.

She said out of the 20 barangays in the city, nine recorded zero cases.

The mayor said among the remaining barangays with the highest actives case is Barangay Almanza Uno with 6.

Aguilar said barangays with active cases are being strictly monitored by the CHO. Most of the patients are already on their way to recovery.

She said the city government already achieved herd immunity with a total of 524, 405 equivalent to 117.3 percent of the 70 percent population who were already vaccinated with their first dose, and 477, 678 equivalent to 106.8 percent who received their second dose.

The mayor said the city is among the 23 cities around the country reported to have achieved herd immunity.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this recent development? With the fall of local COVID-19 cases, do you think that Christmas in the city will be more joyful compared to last year?

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/

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: More than 27,000 minors of Muntinlupa City vaccinated

Since the local vaccination program for minors (aged 12 to 17-years-old) of Muntinlupa City first started, the number has grown to over 27,000 minors locally according to a recent Manila Bulletin news report. That figure, accurate as of December 4, 2021, is almost half the total qualified local minors of the city.

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

According to the Muntinlupa COVID-19 Vaccination Program (MunCoVac), as of Dec. 4, a total of 27,161 minors received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or 49 percent of the estimated population of 55,391 for the age group in the city.

Of the total, 10,899 minors are fully vaccinated, equivalent to 20 percent of the total population of 12-to-17-year-olds and 40 percent of those who got the first dose. The Muntinlupa City government started vaccinating minors aged 12 to 17 last Oct. 25.

A total of 41,727 minors have registered for vaccination with MunCoVac or 75 percent of the estimated population for the minor age group. Of the total, 2,721 or 6.5 percent have comorbidities and are classified as Pediatric A3, and 39,006 or 93.5 percent are without.

The country’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for use in people 12 years and above.

According to the Department of Health, the comorbidities eligible for the Pediatric A3 vaccination are medical complexity, genetic conditions, neurologic conditions, metabolic/endocrine diseases, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, HIV infection, tuberculosis, chronic respiratory diseases, renal disorders, hepatobiliary diseases and immunocompromised state due to disease or treatment.

Residents of Muntinlupa City who remain unregistered and unvaccinated should make a move to get registered by learning the ways to do it. Those who are prepared (with personal information available) and willing to go through online registration for the free vaccines in Muntinlupa are encouraged to click https://vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac/

Muntinlupa minors may register online through the city’s COVID-19 vaccination registration system at www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac and choose category “C – Rest of Population.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what can you say about this latest local development? Do you feel confident that Christmas in Muntinlupa will be safe and joyful at the same time this month?

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/

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: Las Piñas City vaccination count exceeds 1 million!

The City Government of Las Piñas achieved another milestone with its COVID-19 vaccination program as the grand total inoculation has exceeded one million! To be exact, the declared count was at 1,016,684 which covers patients of categories A1 to A5, PA3, booster dose, pediatric and the other adult population.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the official statistics released by the City Government online reflecting data collected as of December 2, 2021.

The most recent statistics released.

As seen above, the total number of patients who got the first dose of the vaccine was at 524,405 (82.1% of the to city population and 117.3% of the target population) while those who got the 2nd dose and became fully vaccinated were 477,868 (74.8% of the city population and 106.8 of the target population). Booster shots, which were recently launched for health workers, senior citizens and the immunocompromised patients, reached 14,601.

With the Omicron variant news reports scaring people and even government officials around the world, this latest achievement by Las Piñas City is very notable. The City Government and its strategic partners worked hard to for many months now on ensuring COVID-19 vaccination. Recently the Department of Health (DOH) praise the City Government.

For all the unvaccinated people reading this, any Las Piñas resident who has yet to get registered for the free COVID-19 vaccines can learn the ways (4 methods) by clicking here. Anyone who is ready and willing to register online can click bit.ly/LasPiñasVaccination

Meanwhile, the City Government is already handling the online registration process for COVID-19 vaccination for local minors (aged 12 to 17) which can be done at http://laspinascityonline.laspinascity.gov.ph/eCVRS/

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the city’s vaccination count could reach 2,000,000 sometime in 2022?

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/

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: Las Piñas City praised by DOH for having clean and orderly vaccination sites

According to the Manila Bulletin’s recent report, the Department of Health (DOH) praised the City Government of Las Piñas as a result of the local vaccination sites being clean and orderly to them. The DOH conducted an on-site inspection recently.

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

The Department of Health (DOH) team praised the Las Pinas City government for its clean and orderly vaccination sites during an inspection visit on Tuesday, on Nov. 30.

DOH Regional director Gloria Balboa and her team visited The Tent and SM Center where the Bayanihan Bakunahan was being conducted.

Balboa praised Mayor Imelda Aguilar for the orderly vaccination procedures in the city’s two vaccination sites.

She also thanked the vacinnees who participated in the Bayanihan, Bakunahan and told them about the importance of getting the jab against COVID-19.

Balboa urged residents to continue to be mindful of the prescribed health and safety protocols as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been detected in many countries.

Paul San Miguel, Public Information Office chief, said the city recorded a total of 8,786 residents who participated in the Bayanihan, Bakunahan on Nov. 29 and 30.

San Miguel said Balboa was also accompanied by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) City Director Mary Ann Planas, City Administrator Reynaldo Balagulan, and City Health (CHO) officer-in-charge Dr. Julie Gonzales during the site visit.

The above report ended stating that Mayor Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery continued to encourage locals to get vaccinated.

For all the unvaccinated people reading this, any Las Piñas resident who has yet to get registered for the free COVID-19 vaccines can learn the ways (4 methods) by clicking here. Anyone who is ready and willing to register online can click bit.ly/LasPiñasVaccination

Meanwhile, the City Government is already handling the online registration process for COVID-19 vaccination for local minors (aged 12 to 17) which can be done at http://laspinascityonline.laspinascity.gov.ph/eCVRS/

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the DOH should have inspected more vaccination sites in your city? How many people in your local community got fully vaccinated?

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/

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: Muntinlupa vaccinates more than 8,000 individuals on Day 2 of “Bakunahan Bayanihan” campaign

On the second day of the “Bakunahan Bayanihan” National Vaccination Days campaign, the City Government of Muntinlupa has reached its daily target on vaccination coverage anew with more than 8,000 individuals inoculated.

The Muntinlupa City Health Office (CHO) recorded at least 8,265 individuals to have been vaccinated last November 30, above its target range of 5,000 – 8,000 vaccinees per day. Of the total, 5,855 individuals are from the adult population, 2,343 are from the pediatric “well-child” population (12-17 years old), while 67 are pediatric A3 (with co-morbidities).

Recently, Muntinlupa has also reached its daily target for the first day of the mass immunization campaign with 7,287 individuals vaccinated.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi visited local vaccination sites on Tuesday and urged unvaccinated Muntinlupeños to participate in the three-day national vaccination campaign.

Further, the City Government has sent a team to Cabuyao, Laguna to assist in their local vaccination rollout. Other Metro Manila LGUs have also deployed teams to other cities and municipalities outside the region.

NTF Against COVID-19 medical consultant Dr. Ma. Paz Corrales and Cabuyao City Health Officer Dr. Elena Diamante extended their thanks to Mayor Fresnedi and the city government for its assistance to the local vaccination operations.

The Muntinlupa vaccination team deployed in Cabuyao has inoculated more than 1,000 residents on the first day of the campaign rollout.

The National COVID-19 Vaccination Days campaign is launched by the Department of Health (DOH) to ramp up the COVID-19 vaccination coverage and mobilize stakeholders from every sector to support the national government’s goal of giving Filipinos a safe and healthy Christmas.

Muntinlupa has opened all major and satellite vaccinations sites from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The major sites are SM Center Muntinlupa, Ayala Malls South Park, Festival Mall, Cupang Health Center, and Sucat Covered Court, while the satellite vaccination sites are Buli Health Center, Bayanan Unit 1 Elementary School, Poblacion Health Center, Southville 3 Covered Court, and Victory Health Center. The city-run Ospital ng Muntinlupa is also open for vaccination.

As of November 26, the Muntinlupa CoVid-19 Vaccination Program (MunCoVac) announced that 409,637 Muntinlupeños (106.2% of target) have been vaccinated with at least one dose while 340,699 (88.3% of the target) have been fully vaccinated.

Of the total number of individuals vaccinated, at least 17,521 (first dose) and 10,659 (second dose) were inoculated in Muntinlupa private companies. The city has also administered at least 2,285 booster shots for the qualified priority groups.

Meanwhile, the city also recorded a dip in active cases with only 32 cases as of November 30. Two barangays, Putatan and Cupang, have logged zero cases. By barangay, Tunasan has 1 active case, Poblacion has 13 cases, Bayanan has 1 case, Alabang has 7 cases, Ayala Alabang has 4 cases, Buli has 1 case, and Sucat has 5 cases.

To date, Muntinlupa has 27,564 confirmed cases, 26,954 recoveries, 578 reported deaths, 17 suspect cases, and 382 probable cases.

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The above information was sourced from an official press release. Some parts were changed for this website.

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@twitter.com as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/

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: Sputnik vaccines versus Omicron

Have you been injected with a Sputnik vaccine? Are all the rabid news reports about the Omicron variant making you feel uncomfortable? Here is something that you should focus on temporarily – an official statement was recently released claiming that Sputnik V and Sputnik Light vaccines are effective against all variants of SRAC-Cov-2 and they will prove effective in neutralizing the Omicron variant. As if that was not enough, a new version of the Sputnik vaccine is already being developed with Omicron in mind.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the statement published by SputnikVaccine.com. Some parts in boldface…

The Russian Sputnik V and Sputnik Light vaccines have proven to be highly effective against all variants of SARC-Cov-2 known to date. This has been demonstrated by an article published in Vaccines medical journal and international real-world data from numerous countries:

A recent study in Hungary demonstrated Sputnik V vaccine had the highest (98%) efficacy in preventing COVID-related mortality and 85.7% efficacy against coronavirus infection among five vaccines (Sputnik V, Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sinopharm) used in the country between January-June 2021. Based on this data, the share of deaths from COVID in the unvaccinated population was 130 times higher than among those vaccinated with Sputnik V in the same period.

According to data from San Marino, Sputnik V is 80% effective against coronavirus infection from 6th to 8th months after administering the second dose, which is much higher than published efficacy of mRNA vaccines of less than 30% after 6 months.

The Sputnik vaccine’s efficacy is based on the heterogeneous boosting approach using two different vectors for two shots, pioneered by the Gamaleya Institute, and a proven adenoviral vector platform, which triggers a broader immune response as compared to mRNA vaccines.

The Gamaleya Institute believes both Sputnik V and Sputnik Light will neutralize the latest Omicron variant and has started the necessary studies.

Nonetheless the Gamaleya Institute, based on existing protocols of immediately developing vaccine versions for variants of concern, has already begun developing the new version of Sputnik vaccine adapted to Omicron. In an unlikely case such modification is needed, the new Sputnik Omicron version can be ready for mass-scale production in 45 days. Several hundred million Sputnik Omicron boosters can be provided to international markets already by Feb 20, 2022 with over 3 billion doses available in 2022.

That was a pretty bold statement there. Sputnik vaccines’ efficacies (preventing COVID-19  mortality and going against coronavirus infections) was compared with four other established brands of COVID-19 vaccines.

With regards to Omicron, there was confidence expressed that the two existing Sputnik vaccines will neutralize the new variant. That sounds great but I would love to see first real test results to prove that. Regardless, Gamaleya proceeded already to develop a newer version of Sputnik vaccine with Omicron in mind and they seem confident they can mass produce it and start releasing it in early 2022. As seen in the above statement, the mass production and release of a Sputnik Omicron vaccine would commence in the unlikely case they need to modify the Sputnik vaccine.

If the current Sputnik vaccines prove to be capable of neutralizing the Omicron variant, then no such production-release scheme of a modified vaccine will be needed. Gamaleya will then have to keep mass producing and sending out doses of Sputnik V and Sputnik Light worldwide. Already millions of doses of Sputnik V have arrived here in the Philippines and the national government plans to procure more of the single-dose Sputnik Light vaccine.

For added insight, watch these related news videos below…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What can you say about this official statement about Sputnik vaccines and the Omicron variant? If you were fully vaccinated with the Sputnik V vaccine, how long has it been since your 2nd dose? Is your local government already releasing booster shots? Are you eager to find out if your local government will use Sputnik vaccine as your booster shot? Do you believe that Gamaleya’s statement that the two current Sputnik vaccines will really neutralize the Omicron variant?

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/

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: Panic and the closing of borders related to the Omicron variant

As a growing number of nations closed their borders to foreign travelers due to the fear over the Omicron variant (coronavirus variant B.1.1.529) magnified by secular and liberal news media organizations, CBN News published a related news report highlighting the statement of the head of the South African Medical Association that Western nations are panicking unnecessarily over the said new variant.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from CBN News’ report. Some parts in boldface…

The World Health Organization calls Omicron “a variant of concern,” but admits more needs to be learned about it. 

Initial reports describe it as having very mild symptoms.

But the virus may also be highly transmissible. Two new cases have just been confirmed in Canada, the first known to have reached North America. 

Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health, said preliminary evidence shows that it is more transmissible. “We don’t know for sure. We really have no data on severity, whether it’s more severe, milder, or more significant,” Jha said.

The United States has decided to ban travelers from South Africa and seven other countries in the region.

Israel has closed its borders to noncitizens for two weeks and has authorized cell phone surveillance of anyone confirmed to be carrying the variant. 

Japan also suspended entry to foreign visitors.

But the head of the South African Medical Association, Dr. Angelique Coetzee, said Western nations are panicking unnecessarily

There’s body aches and pain with a bit of a headache, not really sore throat, more of a scratchy type of description and no cough and no loss of smell or taste. And that’s what I call ‘mild symptoms.‘”

South Africa’s Health Minister, Joe Phaala, slammed what he called the ‘draconian’ travel bans.

“The reaction of some of the countries in terms of imposing travel bans and such measures are completely against the norms and standards as guided by the World Health Organization.” 

Here in the Philippines, the Omicron variant news reports sparked calls for ramping up COVID-19 vaccination just as the 3-day nationwide vaccination drive resulted 2.5 million shots administered on the first day. Omicron also brought local stocks down by a little over 1% on November 29 and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte the required wearing of face shields (which are unpopular and are really inconvenient to use as they distort vision and make verbal communication more problematic). These local developments show how much of a negative impact Omicron has made through the news and also shows how concerned or panicky people could get.

Anyone who follows Jesus as Lord and Savior should know that no matter what the situation and no matter how much fear and negativity the global new media spreads, they should NOT panic at all and should maintain unwavering faith in Him for protection and lifting.

To all the faithful as well as all others who have not yet accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior reading this…the Lord will not abandon us nor forsake us. Trust in the Lord wholeheartedly and eternally. Submit to the Lord and be led by the Holy Spirit. Learn from the following scriptures below…

Do not yield to fear, for I am always near.
    Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God.
    I will infuse you with my strength
    and help you in every situation.
    I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.’
“All who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced.
    All who contend with you will perish and disappear.
 You will look for your enemies in vain;
    those who war against you will vanish without a trace!

Isaiah 41:10-12 (TPT)

Fear and intimidation is a trap that holds you back.
    But when you place your confidence in the Lord,
    you will be seated in the high place.

Proverbs 29:25 (TPT)

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

So Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:6-9 (NKJV)

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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