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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider MB Daily News Update

MB Daily News Update

Published Mar 19, 2021 04:35 pm

Stricter measures are set to be implemented as the government continued to find ways to arrest the surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections.

But the vaccine remains to be the major source of hope for Filipinos as another vaccine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use, and more doses are expected to arrive in coming months.

These were among the numerous COVID-related stories we have picked to recommend for your quick perusal this Friday afternoon, March 19, 2021.

A Manila barangay is placed under a four-day lockdown after a spike in COVID-19 cases in the community. (Ali Vicoy)
  1. No total lockdown; vaccinations may be focused on Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao
  • PH COVID-19 Update: 7,103 new cases, 390 recoveries, 13 deaths
  • Ensuring the safety of the people while ensuring that the economy remains open, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) will be implementing stricter measures for two weeks
  • With a 91.6-percent efficacy rate, Russian vaccine Gamaleya is approved by the FDA for emergency use in the country together with Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Sinovac
  • 20 million doses of Moderna vaccines secured in tripartite agreement
  • China’s Sinovac Biotech only recommended for inoculation of healthy individuals aged 18 to 59

Who’s eligible, or healthy enough, to be vaccinated?

  • President Duterte has approved the recommendation to utilize all 525,600 vials of AstraZeneca vaccines as first dose for healthcare workers
  • All Filipino citizens may continue to return to the Philippines, according to the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19
  • FDA reminds the public that the COVID-19 vaccines are not for sale
  1. Call it a circuit breaker lockdown, a hard GCQ, or soft MECQ, but OCTA Research says that this should already be implemented in Metro Manila, and other parts of PH
  1. Taal Volcano shows “increased magmatic activity at shallow depths beneath the edifice”
  1. You can now easily check out mb.com.ph with the launch of Manila Bulletin’s unique QR code
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