None of the evacuees nationwide are positive of COVID-19 as of Wednesday afternoon.
The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed this despite the fact that there are 55,921 families or 223,378 individuals staying in 1,570 evacuation centers in different parts of the country as of November 17.
“As of this writing at mula po sa pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa Health Emergency Management Bureau ng DOH, wala pa po sa mga evacuees natin ang nagpopositibo sa COVID-19 (As of this writing and based on our coordination with the Health Emergency Management Bureau, there are no COVID-19 positive evacuees),” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire announced.
The DOH also reminded that the use of antigen testing among evacuees should prioritize “those with symptoms.”
“Kapag na-extract na po sila ng safety officers natin, ite-test sila for this antigen. Sila ay i-isolate din because they are symptomatic (Once extracted by out safety officers, they will be tested for this antigen…They will be isolated because they are symptomatic,” Vergeire explained.
Vaccine access
The DOH clarified that the purchase of vaccines from manufacturers that will not conduct clinical trials in the country will push through. This includes Moderna and Pfizer in the US. However, observing “the effect of these vaccines among our population” was emphasized.
“Kasi sabi nga natin, iba-iba po ang epekto ng bakuna sa bawat race ng population. Mas maganda, makikita rin natin (As we have said, the effect of the vaccine per race population varies),” Vergeire stated.
The DOH explained that a vaccine can be bought as long as its effects based on the first three phases of clinical trials are studied by the vaccine expert panel, and once approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Meanwhile, the Sinovac of China which reportedly provides COVID-19 immunity based on its first two phases of clinical trials with 700 participants is yet to complete documents before its clinical trial in the country. – Report from Mark Fetalco
