Covid-19 being forgotten as Typhoon Rolly, Sioni and other typhoons hit the

Philippines
As #CagayanNeedsHelp hashtag trended worldwide, many people around the world
became aware of what’s happening on our country. Many individual, groups and organization
have donated in the accounts of affected families. They donated food, water, and other
necessities to the stranded people. But as time passed by, people forgot that we are in still in
pandemic. The safety protocols and social distancing failed to observe as people wander to find
food and shelter for their family.

As of now, there are 25,725 active cases, 398, 782 recovered and 8,418 people died in
Covid-19 with over 432, 925 total cases in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI) on 24 November 2020 signed the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) for setting the price
range for Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Reaction (RT-PCR) Testing for COVID-19. The
JAO is pursuant to the Executive Order No. 118 of President Rodrigo Roa-Duterte ordering the
agencies to implement a price range for COVID-19 testing.

During the DOH Media Forum on November 25, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque
emphasized that this price range will promote quality, equitable access and affordability to
COVID-19 testing. With this Joint Administrative Order, the government seeks to strike a
balance of equity, access, and consumer’s choice.

While the goal of the JAO is to protect Filipinos by making COVID-19 testing
accessible, the Secretary stressed that observance of minimum public health standards set to
minimize or prevent viral transmission remains critical.

Nevertheless, the objective of this endeavor is to make COVID-19 testing accessible and
affordable to all, we need to remain vigilant -- strictly adhering to our minimum public health
standards of mask wearing, hand hygiene, and physical distancing. This will not only ensure the
safety of our countrymen, but also secure their jobs and sources of income.

The health and safety of Filipinos remain the top priority, even as the government
gradually reopen the economy.

References:

Updates on Novel Coronavirus Disease (covid-19). (2020). Retrieved from

https://www.doh.gov.ph/2019-nCoV
 Philippines sign for AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
As we Filipinos fight through this pandemic, the government continues to seek vaccine
that will put an end to this nightmare. The government is willing to take a risk, stressing the
urgent need to reopen the economy further.

The Philippines will get 2.6 million shots of a potential Covid-19 vaccine developed by
AstraZeneca under the country's first supply deal for a coronavirus vaccine, senior officials said
on Friday.

This supply, to be paid for by the private sector, will inoculate just over 1 million
Filipinos as the British drug maker’s vaccine requires two doses, said Jose Concepcion, a
government business adviser representing the private sector.

Oxford and AstraZeneca reported Monday that their trial vaccine appeared to be 62%
effective in people who received two doses, and 90% effective when volunteers were given a
half dose followed by a full dose.

AstraZeneca has said it plans to conduct a new global clinical trial to make a fresh
assessment of the vaccine’s efficacy.

The AstraZeneca trial vaccine is regarded as having several advantages over rival
vaccines being developed so far for less-developed countries, including cheaper cost and the
ability to be stored at temperatures not as cold as the others.

The said vaccine is expected to be delivered in the second quarter of next year and would
cover about 1 million people. It’s targeting about 60 million Filipinos to be vaccinated against
the coronavirus over about two years starting next year. The action, at a cost of more than 73
billion pesos ($1.4 billion) is aimed at developing immunity in a majority of the population. The
Philippines has recorded 425,918 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 8,255 deaths.

References:

Chalida, E. (2020, November 27). Thailand, Philippines sign for AstraZeneca COVID-19
vaccine. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/thailand-coronavirus-pandemic-prayuth-
chan-ocha-7e974f2bca97cd58304e99a5a2c34c07

Reuters. (2020, November 27). Manila secures 2.6m doses of AstraZeneca jab. Retrieved
from https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2026539/philippines-secures-2-6m-doses-of-
astrazenecas-covid-19-vaccine