Due to the post-holiday coronavirus disease (COVID-19) surge, the city government of Manila purchased 20,000 tablets of an anti-COVID-19 drug on Monday, Jan. 10, replacing its nearly depleted stock.
During a Facebook livestream, Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso announced that Manila’s stock of about 42,0000 Molnupiravir tablets, a drug which is believed to be effective in treating COVID-19 patients, was depleted by almost 30,000 tablets in just one week from Jan. 3 to Jan. 10.
“Last night we only had about 4,000 tablets more or less of Molnupiravir, in a matter of one week, almost 30,000 tablets were consumed by our people all over Luzon because we have extended our Molnupiravir to any person,” said Domagoso.
As a result, Manila added 20,000 tablets of Molnupiravir to its stock, which Domagoso estimated is enough to treat about 500 people.
Meanwhile, 20,000 more tablets of the said drug are set to be delivered to Manila soon.
Domagoso also said that Manila’s supplies of Molnupiravir and other anti-COVID-19 drugs -- Remdesivir, Tocilizumab, and Baricitinib -- are available for free to both residents and non-residents of Manila through the Manila Health Department.
This policy of openness to non-residents extends to Manila’s vaccination campaign as well.
The Manila City government launched on Jan. 8 a drive-thru booster vaccination program at the Bonifacio Shrine beside the Manila City Hall for motorists and cyclists, which is open to the general population.
The drive-thru vaccination program was extended until Monday, Jan. 10, and has resulted in the administration of over 2,000 booster shots.