News Roundup 17 October 2020
Oct 17, 2020 • 3 min Read
COVID-19 cases in Philippines rise to 354,338 with 2,673 new cases | PHILSTAR.COM – The total number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the country reached 354,338, with the Department of Health confirming Saturday 2,673 new cases. The health department also reported 73 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 6,603. The department also said that 539 more have recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 295,312. With the new cases, deaths, and recoveries the total number of active cases is now at 52,423.
Rest period for health frontliners proposed by Palace ‘not yet feasible’ — group | PHILSTAR.COM – The Private Hospital Association on Saturday expressed skepticism over Malacañang’s proposal to give medical frontliners a break while utilization rates in COVID-19 facilities are still manageable. The proposal was floated by presidential spokesman Harry Roque on Thursday, who cited Department of Health data which shows occupancy rates ranging from 41% to 47% for COVID-19 ward beds, isolation beds and ICU beds nationwide. “Upon hearing that statement from the good spokesperson…I tried to call some hospitals to find out [the situation] and apparently, the suggestion, as of the moment, is not yet feasible,” Dr. Jaime Almora, PHA president said during an interview with ANC.
Drilon says lack of budget will make COVID-19 vaccine distribution a ‘nightmare’ | INQUIRER.NET – Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Saturday said the P2.5 billion allocated in next year’s budget will not be enough to cover the procurement and distribution of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine. “Talagang kulang ang P2.5 billion. Hindi madali ang vaccination dahil hindi naman tayo mag-manufacture nito. Talagang darating sa atin in bulk. Ilalagay mo sa glass vials. Ilang million ang gagawin natin?” the senator said in an interview with DWIZ when sought to comment on the lack of funds for vaccines. (P2.5 billion is not enough. Vaccination is not easy because we are not the ones who will manufacture it. It will be sent to us in bulk, placed in glass vials. How many vials will we be making?) Drilon also expressed concern as to how the vaccine will be distributed as the Philippines is an island nation. “We are an island nation kaya ang logistic ay terrible. Mahirap ang trabaho. Malaking pera ang pinag-uusapan. Ang estimate ay P500.00 per head. The distribution would be a nightmare. Sana magampanan ng pamahalaan ang kanilang tungkulin lalo na ang DOH [Department of Health],” (We are an island nation so logistics will be terrible. The job won’t be easy. We need huge money for this. The estimate is P500 per head. The distribution would be a nightmare. I hope the government and DOH will do their jobs.)
Baguio may be open for tourists from Metro within this year | Manila Bulletin – Baguio City may open its doors to tourists from Metro Manila within this year, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said Saturday. Puyat said this was among the matters she discussed with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong during their meeting Friday. “No formal date but that was one of the things we talked about with Mayor Magalong,” the Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary said. Puyat said Baguio’s reopening to National Capital Region residents may happen “this year.” She said they are now finalizing the plan and are “also adjusting the protocols.”
Magnitude 5.4 earthquake jolts Occidental Mindoro | The Manila Times – A magnitude 5.4 earthquake rocked Occidental Mindoro early Saturday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). It said the quake occurred around 4:06 a.m. at 21 kilometers northeast of Looc town. Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum told The Manila Times that the quake had a depth of 12 kms and was tectonic in origin.
