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JERUSALEM, Israel (Xinhua) — Israeli scientists have discovered how the COVID-19 virus evades the human immune system, the Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS) in central Israel said on Thursday.In a study published in the journal Nature, researchers from the WIS and the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) revealed a unique combination of three molecular mechanisms, or arms, by which the virus overcomes the immune system.The researchers also identified the viral proteins involved in these mechanisms, which could lead to new effective therapies.These mechanisms allow the virus to quickly take control of the host cell’s protein production system, prevent the recruitment of the immune system, and then multiply without interruption.The first arm allows the virus to dramatically reduce the protein production capacity in the cell.The second arm actively and selectively breaks down the cell’s messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, which carry the protein production recipes.At the same time, the unharmed viral mRNA molecules continue on their way to the production lines.The third arm allows the virus to block new RNA molecules, produced in response to the viral invasion, from exiting the cell nucleus.This prevents the cell from fighting the virus and calling for outside help.This causes a significant delay in the immune system’s response, which may lead to deterioration in the patient’s condition and even cause death.

The Sinopharm vaccines donated by China to the Philippines have not yet been returned to the donor, a Palace official said Monday.

The latest batch of coronavirus vaccines delivered to the Philippines through the COVAX facility represented a “lifeline” to Filipinos seeking relief from the pandemic, according to a United Nations (UN) official.

More people, including economic frontliners, can be vaccinated after the Department of Health (DOH) agreed to resume the use of coronavirus vaccines developed by AstraZeneca for all age groups, according to Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion.

Malacañang said President Duterte will still be able to get his second dose of the Sinopharm coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine despite his request to China to pull out the said brand from the Philippines.

The country is facing a problem on the limited available supply of coronavirus vaccines; it is not the government’s pandemic response, that is at issue, President Duterte declared Wednesday.

President Duterte has pushed for fair and non-discriminatory distribution of coronavirus vaccines in the country regardless of the brand.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo got inoculated against the coronavirus disease Tuesday, saying he felt no adverse side effects.

President Duterte has expressed gratitude to Russia for delivering the initial batch of coronavirus vaccines to the Philippines.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) intends to donate half a million coronavirus vaccines to the Philippines, according to vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr.

Filipinos should embrace the opportunity to get vaccinated against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to help save lives and livelihoods, according to Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion.

The Philippines’ cold storage facilities are capable to receive coronavirus vaccines that need to be kept in below freezing temperature, National Task Force Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said Thursday, April 29.

The government is not backing down from its goal to vaccinate 70 million Filipinos this year in a bid to attain herd immunity against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. is still hoping that the United States, one of the most vaccinated countries in the world, will be able to spare the Philippines and other countries with its excess coronavirus vaccines.

The government is having a tough time on how to safely transport the Russian-made coronavirus vaccines to the country without compromising its stability.

The Philippines considers China a “good friend” and would not resort to war over the dispute in the West Philippine Sea, President Duterte declared Wednesday.

Requiring workers to get a coronavirus vaccine could be a possibility in case of a low turnout in the immunization drive, according to a government adviser.

The arrival of the first batch of Russian-made coronavirus vaccines won’t push through this month due to logistical concerns, Malacañang announced Wednesday, April 28.