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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider MB Daily News Update

MB Daily News Update

Published Mar 6, 2021 07:30 am

The South Africa variant of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is beginning to rear its ugly head as infections reached its highest number in five months.

And these are what the country’s ongoing vaccination rollout is trying to stave off with more inoculations being reported all over the nation.

These, together with stories on the weather, Manila Bay, and even on exorcism, comprise the top picks for this morning of Saturday, March 6, 2021.

  1. Fifty-two additional cases of the South African variant of the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been detected, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Friday, March 5. The DOH also reported 31 more cases of the coronavirus variant first found in the United Kingdom or the B.1.1.7 variant.
  • OCTA Research Chief Dr. Guido David has distanced himself from the statement made by his colleague on the low efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccine against the South Africa COVID-19 variant, saying it was “not the position of the entire group”.
  • On Friday, March 5, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 3,045 additional cases of COVID-19 nationwide, raising the total number to 587,704. The last time that the Philippines logged more than 3,000 cases in a day was on October 16, 2020 with 3,139 reported COVID-19 cases then.
  • A total of 2,290 military healthcare workers have already been inoculated with the CoronaVac vaccine from China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd., the military announced.
  • Semester break set for March 15 to March 19.
  • The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the easterlies, or the warm and humid winds coming from the Pacific, will dominate the country’s weather in the next few days.
  • The days of “pasaway” polluters of Manila Bay are numbered as a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) task force is set to identify erring establishments that continue to pollute the body of water.
  • This should serve as a warning to those who love watching horror films. An exorcist priest said patronizing horror films or films that deal with magic and witchcraft is “dangerous” as this could lead to possible demonic possession.
  • Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark A. Villar announced Friday, March 5, that the construction of the 4.6-kilometer “Great Wall of Baguio City”, linking Kennon Road directly to Loakan Airport, is in full swing.
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