Duque: 2nd booster dose only for immunocompromised persons

By THIRD ANNE PERALTA-MALONZO, SunStar Manila

HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III said he only approved the administration of second coronavirus disease (Covid-19) booster dose to immunocompromised individuals.

In a Laging Handa public briefing, Duque said this includes individuals who underwent organ transplant; cancer, dialysis and HIV patients; and those with primary immunodeficiencies.

He said the implementing rules and regulations for the administration of second booster dose to these individuals is already being finalized and the implementation is seen next week.

"Sa ngayon, ang aking inaprubahan batay sa rekomendasyon ng Health Technology Assessment Council ay ‘yung second booster dose para lamang sa mga immunocompromised na mga pasyente," said Duque.

(For now, what I have approved based on the recommendation of the Health Technology Assessment Council is the second booster dose only for the immunocompromised patients.)

"Yung para sa A1 or healthcare workers at doon naman din para sa senior citizens, pag-aaralan at susuriin pa ng ating Health Technology Assessment Council," he added.

(The one for healthcare workers and senior citizens will still be under study by the Health Technology Assessment Council.)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved last week the administration of a second Covid-19 booster dose for the vulnerable sector, such as senior citizens, healthcare workers and immunocompromised persons at least four months after their first booster dose.

The Department of Health urged the vaccinated individuals to get booster doses to get better protection against Covid-19, especially against severe and critical infection.

A total of 66,854,770 individuals in the country have been fully vaccinated, while 12,641,887 have received booster shots. (SunStar Philippines)

Sun about to enter ‘Solar Maximum’ phase; large sunspot groups seen – PAGASA

Sunspot group (Image courtesy of PAGASA)

by Charie Mae F. Abarca, Manila Bulletin

The state weather bureau on Thursday, April 21, released images of the Sun showing three large sunspot groups.

“Sunspots are areas on the Sun’s surface that are relatively cooler and appear dark[er] than its surroundings,” said PAGASA.

The patches, according to the state weather bureau, are “roughly the size” of Earth or about 20 up to 40 times larger than a typical sunspot.

Meanwhile, PAGASA likewise explained that the recent increase in solar activities is expected as the Sun is entering a new phase.

“The Sun is entering the Solar Maximum phase of its current solar cycle where there will be an expected increase in solar activities [such as] frequent solar flares, increased number of sunspots and the like,” said PAGASA.

“Do not look at the Sun directly without a special filter to protect your eyes,” the state weather bureau warned.

Magat Dam spilling operations halted

(National Irrigation Administration / File Photo)

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin

Authorities have stopped Magat Dam’s spilling operations on Wednesday, April 20, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its termination of flood precaution advisory.

PAGASA said that the Magat Dam in Isabela has closed its gate at around 9 a.m. Wednesday.

In its latest monitoring, Magat Dam’s water level was at 190.01 meters, which is 3 meters below its 193.0-meter spilling level.

The dam conducted discharge operations on April 14 amid rains from the northeasterly surface wind flow.

In the past 24 hours, PAGASA recorded less than 1.0 millimeter of rainfall over the Magat watershed.

Meanwhile, it projected less than 5 millimeters of rainfall in the next 24 hours.

“With this development and unless significant rain occurs, this is the final dam situationer for this period. Flood forecasting and warning system for dam operation for Magat Dam is now terminated,” PAGASA’s advisory read.

PAGASA said the entire country can expect hot and humid weather with isolated rain showers because of the easterlies, or the warm winds from the Pacific Ocean, in the next few days.

PH reignites travel in Asia-Pacific region — WTTC

by Aaron Recuenco, Manila Buletin

The Philippines has been playing a key role in reigniting travel and tourism in the Asia-Pacific region, a top official of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) said on Thursday, April 21.

The assessment was backed by data from the WTTC’s Economic Impact Report (EIR) which showed that the Philippines earned $41billion from travel and tourism and supported 7.8 million jobs in 2021.

Julia Simpson, WTTC president and chief executive officer, said that based on their EIR, the Philippines was the fourth fastest in terms of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth rate for travel and tourism last year.

 

She said the improvement in travel and tourism sector since the global plunge in 2020 is an indication of recovery.

“Now, recovery is in our sights. It is not uniform, it is faltering, but it is recovery. Here in Asia-Pacific the reopening is just beginning. I congratulate the Philippines, a nation that has shown determination and courage to reignite travel,” said Simpson in her speech during the second day of the Global Summit Philippines.

The meeting was attended by more than 1,000 delegates from across the global travel and tourism sector, including CEOs, business leaders, government ministers, travel experts and the international media.

In 2019, the travel and tourism sector contributed $9.6 trillion to the global economy.

But when the Covid-19 pandemic struck the world in 2020, Simpson said a massive 50 percent loss was recorded and 62 million jobs were affected.

In the Philippines, the travel and tourism sector contributed 22.5 percent of the country’s GDP, or $92.6 billion, before the pandemic. It plunged to 80.7 percent decrease in 2020.

But everything changes as the world began to recover last year, according to Simpson.