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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Poe calls for quicker vaccinations amid spike in COVID-19 cases

Poe calls for quicker vaccinations amid spike in COVID-19 cases

Published Mar 8, 2021 12:45 pm

The surge in COVID-19 infections calls for the faster delivery and rollout of the vaccination program in the Philippines, Senator Grace Poe said on Monday, March 7.

Sen. Grace Poe
(FACEBOOK / FILE PHOTO)

Poe raised alarm over reports of increased active cases of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country, which researchers attributed to its new variants from the United Kingdom and South Africa.

"The alarming surge in COVID-19 infections must be addressed with quicker action to deliver the shots to our health workers and other priority groups as we anticipate the arrival of more vaccines in the coming days," she said in statement.

"We should vaccinate faster than the virus can spread," she added, stressing that government-procured and donated vaccine doses should reach the country on Philippines "on time".

Poe appealed to the Interagency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease "to continue equitable negotiations for the purchase of safe and efficient vaccines, complemented by a smooth implementation of the inoculation program." The government started its vaccination of frontline health workers last March 1.

"The challenge is to speed up and harmonize processes to ensure that all Filipinos will have an access to the vaccine to banish COVID-19 and help steady the economic ship," Poe said.

The Philippines has seen an increase in COVID-19 from at least 2,000 new infections daily to over 3,000 over the weekend. Active cases were at 36,043 as of Sunday, March 7.

A study by the OCTA Research projected that new COVID-19 cases daily may increase further to 5,000 to 6,000 by March 31.

For Metro Manila, the OCTA looks at having 3,000 new cases daily by the end of the month.

Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said Sunday that the surge was "alarming", but said it would still be difficult to rule if the country is already experiencing a second wave.

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