News Roundup 17 March 2021
Mar 17, 2021 • 4 min Read
COVID-19 cases in Philippines rise to 635,698 with 4,387 new infections | PHILSTAR.COM – The Department of Health recorded 4,387 additional COVID-19 infections Wednesday, taking the country’s total case count to 635,698.
– Active cases: 61,733 or 9.7% of the total
– Recoveries: 374, pushing total to 561,099
– Deaths: 18, bringing total to 12,866
OCTA: Metro Manila now seeing ‘serious surge’ in COVID-19 cases | PHILSTAR.COM – Metro Manila is now going through a “serious surge” in coronavirus cases, the OCTA Research said Wednesday, with reproduction rate at its highest since May 2020. In its March 17 update, the independent panel of experts said the capital region’s reproduction number — referring to how many individuals a single COVID-19 positive can infect — is now at 1.96. This was up from the 1.95 that OCTA’s Prof. Guido David reported on March 14, and from the 1.66 on March 7. “NCR reported 2,231 new COVID-19 cases on March 16, 2021,” the group said. “This represents a 78% increase in new cases compared to one week ago.” The positivity rate in Metro Manila has also increased to 12%, with screening for the virus up by 18% or 24,300 a day. The former refers to the number of persons who turn out positive out of the total tests ran. And with a daily attack rate of 15.9 per 100,000 over the last seven days, the region is now classified as high risk, OCTA added. In the last week, “very high” attack rates were seen particularly in four areas, namely: Pasay with a daily attack rate of 44.7, Makati (27.4), Santiago in Isabela province (25.4%), and Navotas (23.5%). “In Santiago, there was one reported case for the entire week of March 3 to 9,” OCTA said, “but this increased to 244 for the week of March 10 to 16.” Despite Metro Manila seeing a surge, the experts said the three cities mentioned saw a slowing down of cases compared to the previous week. They added that while the focus has recently been on NCR, certain areas in the Calabarzon region are seeing a surge too. OCTA said these are Bacoor, Imus and Dasmariñas in Cavite, as well as Antipolo and Cainta in Rizal. Experts said the localized lockdowns in Pasay and Navotas contributed to the decrease in the reproduction number to 1.8 from a previous 2.4. While the number is still above 1, OCTA said it “gives us confidence that localized lockdowns work to some extent.” “[It] may work against variant-drive surges, but they are more effective in tandem with expanded testing, contact tracing and supported isolation,” the group said. OCTA said localized lockdowns, curfews and stricter adherence to healtg protocols could reduce Metro Manila’s daily cases by end of the month to less than 4,000, assuming that the reproduction number reaches a flat 2.0. They previously warned daily cases could go as high as 7,500 if the surge isn’t addressed.
Robredo’s office ups PPE distribution to NCR hospitals amid spike in virus cases – INQUIRER.NET – Vice President Leni Robredo’s office has increased its allocation of personal protective equipment (PPEs) to Metro Manila hospitals amid the latest surge of COVID-19 cases. According to the Office of the Vice President (OVP), they have sent out PPE sets and other equipment daily since March 11, totaling 13,350 PPE sets and 1,200 reusable protective suits, to hospitals in the nation’s capital region. It added that most of the items were initially given to hospitals and healthcare institutions in Quezon City. Other medical supplies were also distributed by OVP to various health institutions, including 1,100 pieces of surgical masks, 1,100 pieces of face shields, 550 pieces of head covers, 110 pieces of medical gowns, and 44 gallons of disinfectant, based on its statement issued Wednesday. Robredo stressed that her office’s response was due to prevailing urgency amid rapidly rising cases of the potentially deadly respiratory ailment COVID-19, which is caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
CHR expresses concern on ‘red-tagging’ of judge for acquitting, releasing journalist, trade unionist | Manila Bulletin – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has expressed deep concern on the “red-tagging” of a Mandaluyong City regional trial court (RTC) judge who dismissed the illegal possession of firearms and explosives charges filed against journalist Lady Ann Salem and trade unionist Rodrigo Esparago. A tarpaulin posted along EDSA showed the photograph of RTC Judge Monique Quisumbing-Ignacio. Also printed in the tarpaulin was the logo of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) with a message that expresses gratitude to the judge for her action on the “mabilis na paglaya” (swift release) of Salem and Esparago. Judge Ignacio, aside from dismissing the criminal charges against Salem and Esparago, also ordered their release. CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia, said that Quisumbing-Ignacio is being targeted in connection with her decisions involving prosecutorial discretion and the exercise of due process rights. “This has gotten the CHR very worried, especially in light of the recent attacks made against people of the legal profession,” De Guia, a lawyer, said. “In the wake of recent violent attacks on judges, prosecutors, lawyers, and other legal professionals in the Philippines, such incriminating claims in the tarpaulin that links Judge Quisumbing-Ignacio to the Communist Party of the Philippines without any specific and verifiable evidence exposes her to grave danger,” she said.
