Philippines now at ‘high risk’ for Covid-19

(Photo: file)

 

By: LAUREEN MONDONEDO-YNOT, SunStar Manila

THE Philippines has now been classified as “high risk” for coronavirus disease (Covid-19), with the Department of Health (DOH) noting a positive two-week growth rate, an official said Monday, January 3, 2022.

In a media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that as of January 2, 2022, epidemic curves showed that the average daily cases have declined since September, but the current average daily cases have increased significantly by 570 percent this week (December 20-January 2), which is seven times higher than in previous weeks.

She added that the major island groups in the country are also starting to show signs of increasing cases, while the National Capital Region (NCR), which has been placed under Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15, 2022, showed a “sharp uptick” in cases in the recent weeks.

“There was a positive two-week growth rate at 222 percent and moderate risk average daily attack rate of 1.07 cases for every 100,000 individuals in the recent weeks,” she said.

Vergeire added that cases in the recent one-week also showed a positive increase.

She said, though, that the national health systems capacity remained at low risk, with total bed utilization at 18 percent and intensive care unit (ICU) utilization at 22 percent.

In the NCR, she said while the one-week and two-week growth rate are considered “high risk,” the health system capacity remains to be under 50 percent utilization.

Aside from NCR, five other regions -- Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Davao Region -- also showed a positive one-week and two-week growth rates.

“These regions are low to moderate risk case classification. The rest of the regions show positive increase in cases only in the recent one week,” said Vergeire.

She added that the healthcare utilization rate in all regions remain to be at low risk.

“As of January 1, the national healthcare utilization remains to be at low risk at 18 percent. This is two percent higher than the reported utilization rate last December 25 or one week prior, which was at 16 percent,” Vergeire said.

As to the number of individuals testing positive for the virus, Vergeire said an increase in cases, as well as in positivity rate was seen across all regions.

The largest increase was for NCR, where numbers jumped from 932 to 13,756 for the recent week, she said.

Calabarzon, meanwhile, had 2,792 individuals testing positive from just 290 in the previous week.

Hospital admissions also increased by nine percent, while allocated beds decreased by two percent or 883 beds.

In NCR, while total bed utilization remains to be at low risk at 24 percent, admissions are seen to be increasing in the recent week

“Over the course of one week, the NCR saw a 49 percent increase in admissions accompanied by a one percent or 86 bed increase in allocated beds,” Vergeire said.

The DOH continued to remind the public to observe the minimum public health standards to prevent the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases.

A MISTAKEN BELIEF

A mistaken belief accompanies each and every one of us daily. Incorrect decisions and wrong doings are part of our daily life.

It is almost a ridiculous fact that man wants to know certain truths about mundane things. But really he seems least interested in even mundane truths as can be read many times in newspapers for example. There seem to be too many rash judgments, and the readers absorb these and make these their own. A fatal attraction!

This is sometimes referred to as journalistic mentality wherein accusations are generously made without proof. Evolution started this trend, when scientists stated for example that man evolved from the apes, without proof. The only proof they had was the missing link, and if I am not mistaken, it's still a missing proof until now.

To look for proofs is a mental activity, which is no longer a common thing nowadays, because it takes really time, effort and is too serious to think about. Yet in Christian education, thinking right is very important.That's why Philosophy is important in Christian life. To avoid error in thinking, the rules of right reasoning must be studied and mastered. Is it really totally neglected in today's modern education?

Thinking is actually an enjoyable activity but when one is pressured to get a good job for one's sustenance, then the other more mundane becomes attractive. After all, great thinkers often do not get (good?) jobs... .

Spiritual writers like the British Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) noticed that mankind had stopped thinking even two centuries ago. That was during his age. Man probably stopped thinking even earlier. He has ceased many times to search for the truth. It's easier to listen to gossip and believe in it. What a sign of weak minds!

Too often are we blind to the truth and as a consequence we easily believe in lies we only have to like it. Too bad, if people always like to close their eyes and ears especially while experiencing the delusion of error.

+++

Ad multos annos? No, just for 2022: Happy New Year to all of you, my dear reader. May the Lord shower you with all his blessings. Sursum corda! Let's lift up our hearts!

Are you proud being a Filipino?

Bisaya

https://barokandtakya.com/

Lived in Iligan City

I'm not just proud of being Filipino... I'm so proud of being Filipino. There's an old parable about how the actual test of pride in one's nation is when it has nothing to be proud of. And that, my friends, would describe this country perfectly. Yes, we're marred by plagues and natural disasters regularly. Yes, our people are waging war against poverty with no end in sight for them or us - people are living entire lifetimes in crushing poverty who know they'll never see the dignity

And yet they still teach their children to be brave

Our heroes are breaking records abroad

Our economy is slowly showing signs of light at the end of what seemed like an eternal tunnel of darkness.

We are still the same people who have overcome every single obstacle in our way, no matter how impossible it seemed. We are still here today because our ancestors were strong enough to survive the hell they lived in. With every generation, we get stronger and more resilient . Every other race on this planet should count themselves lucky to be recognized as citizens of a country that has shown time and time again that it will not die, no matter how many times you threaten its very existence.

I'm not proud of being Filipino because our people can produce marvels which put us at the top of the world map... I'm pleased because, despite all odds stacked against us, we are still standing. I'm proud of the sheer will of our people to fight until victory is ours. No matter how many times you knock us down, no matter how many lives you take from us - we will not stop fighting for what is proper.

And that is why I am proud to call myself Filipino.

The Lord’s Epiphany and us

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

WITH the celebration of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of Christ, we are actually left with an invitation that can very well be a big challenge for us who profess to believe in Christ. This is none other than the duty to show or reveal Christ, as he is, to others.

Epiphany means to manifest or to reveal. It’s Christ revealing himself as he is in all his Christological and soteriological nature to the whole world. Making use of the visit of the three kings to the child Jesus, Epiphany is the feast that reminds us that Christ is not only for the Jews but also for everyone, not only for a few but also for all.

It’s a feast that reminds us that Christ is the Son of God, the second person of the Blessed Trinity who became man for our salvation. He is actually everything to us. He is the way, the truth and the very life for us. He is the very pattern of our humanity. How we ought to be is defined for us by him. 

So, this is the big challenge. How can we present Christ to others as he is with our presence, words and deeds? A tall order, indeed!

This Solemnity reminds us that we, Christian believers, should imitate the three magi in undertaking a search for Christ in the world, guided by the star of our faith.

 

Like the magi, we too should also make our search for Jesus amid the many confusing and even hostile elements of the world. Let’s proceed with our daily adventure of looking for Christ in all corners of the world, in all moments of the day and in all circumstances of our life. Let’s not be afraid. God never abandons us and will guide us in his own mysterious ways. Let’s just be game.

Like the magi, we too should bring our precious gifts which in the end are not just a matter of things, no matter how valuable they are, but rather of giving our whole life, our whole mind and heart, our whole selves to him. 

We can be sure that whatever generosity we show Christ will always pale in comparison to the generosity he will shower on us. Let’s not be sparing in making that deal.

Let’s learn to undertake this lifelong adventure of looking for Christ, training ourselves to see him in everything and in everyone, and in all the situations and circumstances of our life, whether they be good or bad according to our human standards.

Let’s keep ourselves from straying from this path that is proper for us. Let nothing or no one lead us astray. We are actually sufficiently guided and protected. Things would just depend on us, whether we correspond to God’s will and ways or not.

Everyday, we can make some kind of plan, something doable and not just theoretical, that would help us concretely and effectively in looking for Christ. In this, let us try to assume the attitude once described by St. Paul:

“Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3,13) Yes, indeed, we have to have the mind of an athlete in looking for Christ. We should not be complacent in this duty.

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

What do we value as a nation? Family, education, and faith!

 

What do we value as a nation? Family, education, and faith!

The first weekend of a new year opens a window for some contemplation. How far have we come as a nation? Or how have we progressed as a family? One only needs to look at what a nation values to determine the moral standing of its people.

A cursory search on the term “values” reveals that these are the basic and fundamental beliefs that guide or motivate attitudes or actions. In short, values “help us determine what is important to us.” “Values describe the personal qualities we choose to embody to guide our actions; the sort of person we want to be; the manner in which we treat ourselves and others, and our interaction with the world around us. They provide the general guidelines for conduct.”

(C) 2022 by Manila Bulletin

What are some things that the Philippines does better than the United States of America (USA)?

 

By Thomas Norman

In a word, Family.

Family is everything in the Philippines. Most Filipinos are what in the United States, would be considered poor.

People get by by helping each other. There is no more cooperative people on the planet then Filipinos. And resourceful.

While we make jokes in the United States about redneck engineering, pretty much everything in the Philippines gets redneck engineered out of necessity.

But unlike redneck engineering in America, the quality of cobbling together fixes in the Philippines is simply amazing. It is absolutely nothing here to craft together an equivalent of a manufactured part when that part is not available.

Is a specialized switch broken? No problem! They will fix that thing. A dashboard switch, that Americans would simply throw away, Filipinos will spend an hour fixing. And it will work just as good as new. One A/C shop said that my A/C could not be repaired because parts are not available. He said the A/C on this car will never work again because of this broken, uniquely designed switch. So I went to another shop. They had it restored to perfect in one hour. Having worked with electronics for decades, I inspected the workmanship. It was virtually as good as new. With a guarantee.

Everybody teaches everybody everything they know. And everybody helps everybody through the hardest of times and through the most difficult challenges. This is a country that truly pulls together around family to make everything that couldn’t be possible without them.

What an incredible country!

(C) 2021 Quora

Lowest temperature yet this ‘amihan season’

 

Lowest temperature yet this ‘amihan season’ recorded in Benguet – PAGASA

On the last day of the year 2021, Benguet’s air temperature plunged to 7.7 degrees Celsius (°C), marking the lowest air temperature yet this northeast monsoon or “amihan” season, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday, Dec. 31.

Metro Manila placed on Alert Level 3 from Jan 3-15

Metro Manila placed on Alert Level 3 from Jan 3-15; stricter measures for unvaccinated ordered

The National Capital Region (NCR) will be under stricter measures starting the year 2022 after the government’s pandemic task force decided to place the region under Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15 due to the recent spike of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.

In a special announcement on New Year’s Eve, December 31, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases made the decision to escalate the alert level prevent a surge of cases.

(C) 2022 Manila Bulletin

COVID variant 'tsunami' as world cases hit record

Published December 30, 2021, 6:30 AM by Agence-France-Presse

PARIS, France — A COVID variant-driven “tsunami” threatens to overwhelm healthcare systems, the WHO said Wednesday as AFP data showed cases have surged across the world in the past week to levels never seen before.

Highly transmissible Omicron propelled the United States, France and Denmark to fresh records on Wednesday, with AFP’s tally of 6.55 million infections reported globally for seven days through Tuesday showing the unprecedented spread.

They were the highest figures since the World Health Organization declared a pandemic in March 2020, underscoring the blistering pace of Omicron transmission, with tens of millions of people facing a second consecutive year of restrictions dampening New Year’s Eve celebrations.

“I am highly concerned that Omicron, being more transmissible, circulating at the same time as Delta, is leading to a tsunami of cases,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference.

“This is and will continue to put immense pressure on exhausted health workers, and health systems on the brink of collapse,” he added.

The surge, currently worst in Europe, is forcing governments to walk a tightrope between imposing restrictions designed to stop hospitals from becoming overwhelmed and the need to keep economies and societies open two years after the virus first emerged in late 2019.

The United States, where Omicron is already overwhelming hospitals, recorded its highest-ever seven-day average of new cases at 265,427, according to a tracker maintained by Johns Hopkins University.

Harvard epidemiologist and immunologist Michael Mina tweeted that the count was likely the “tip of the iceberg” with the true number of cases likely far higher, because of a shortage of tests.

But the country also appears to be experiencing a decoupling between infections and severe outcomes compared to previous waves, officials noted, as evidence accumulates of milder outcomes under the new variant.

France on Wednesday registered a new daily record of more than 200,000 cases — more than double the number recorded on Christmas Day — and extended into January the closure of nightclubs.

Denmark, which currently has the world’s highest rate of infection per person, recorded a fresh record of 23,228 new infections, which authorities attributed in part to the large numbers of tests carried out after Christmas celebrations.

Portugal also saw a record with nearly 27,000 cases reported in 24 hours, while Lebanon had 3,150 new infections — its highest daily tally since vaccines rolled out earlier this year.

– No music in Greek bars –

Studies suggest Omicron, now the dominant strain in some countries, carries a reduced risk of being admitted to hospital, but the World Health Organization still urged caution.

More than 5.4 million people around the world have died from Covid-19, but over the last week the number of deaths averaged 6,450 a day, the AFP tally said, the lowest since October 2020.

In Europe, where more than 3.5 million cases have been recorded in the last seven days, Greece banned music in bars and restaurants until January 16, including on New Year’s Eve.

French lawmakers were to start debating a new law that will only allow those vaccinated to enter restaurants, cinemas, museums and other public venues — no longer those showing proof of a negative Covid test.

Germany has put restrictions on sports competitions and shut nightclubs, limiting private gatherings to 10 vaccinated people — or two households where any unvaccinated people are present.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said around 90 percent of coronavirus patients in intensive care units had not had a booster jab, defending his decision not to clamp down on festivities.

The high take-up of boosters in England “is allowing us to go ahead with New Year in the cautious way that we are,” he said despite new closures in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

– New Year’s Eve cancelled –

In Asia, Vietnam — an export-reliant economy long seen as a success story — reported economic growth for 2021 at a 30-year low of just 2.58 percent, as the pandemic takes its toll.

Armed police in Jingxi in southern China, near the border with Vietnam, paraded four alleged violators of Covid rules through the streets, state media reported, a practice that was banned but which has resurfaced in the struggle to enforce a zero-Covid policy.

Mexico City’s mayor on Tuesday cancelled the capital’s massive New Year’s Eve celebrations as a preventative measure after a rise in Covid-19 cases.

In Ukraine, three people died after a candle lit by a hospital employee in memory of a patient who died of the virus, started a fire in an intensive care unit in the western town of Kosiv.

“Ignorance of the elementary laws of physics and disregard for safety rules have led to irreparable losses,” the emergencies services said, describing the incident as a “terrible mistake”.

Who can travel to Germany now that COVID restrictions are being tightened again?

 Author Felix Schlagwein, DW

Coronavirus infections are surging in Germany. What does this mean for tourists? Here are the answers to some of the most pressing questions.

The fourth coronavirus wave is currently resulting in record infections in many European countries — including Germany. In some places, the situation is so dramatic that public events and fairs have been canceled and contact restrictions introduced.

Tourist travel has also been banned in parts of Germany. In November, the US once more issued a warning against visiting Germany, although vaccinated tourists can still enter. What do these developments mean for anyone wishing to enter Germany? What quarantine rules apply? And what do German holidaymakers need to bear in mind when returning home? Here are answers to some of the most important questions.

Who can enter Germany?

Despite soaring infections, conditions for entering Germany are in some cases more relaxed than they were a year ago. Nevertheless, all arrivals from the age of 12 must present proof of vaccination, recovery, or an approved negative COVID-19 test, regardless of where they are coming from and by what means of transport. This requirement will remain in force until January 15, 2022. Entry is possible from all EU countries as well as the Schengen-associated states of Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Before traveling to Germany, make sure to get an overview of the latest developments and rules. Travelers can find detailed information on the websites of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of the Interior and the Foreign Office.

Are people from third countries allowed to travel to Germany?

Entry from third countries is possible again, albeit only under certain conditions. Residents from a list of "safe" third countries, which includes Australia and Canada, may enter Germany for any purpose, subject to the above-mentioned documentation requirement. Travelers from other third countries, including the US, must either be fully vaccinated or put forward pressing grounds for their trip.

In an effort to contain the spread of the new omicron variant, along with other EU states, Germany on November 26 imposed a temporary ban on arrivals from Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa and several other African nations until further notice. Airlines are only allowed to transport German nationals and permanent residents from these countries. Arrivals must then quarantine for 14 days. The UK was added to this list of countries designated areas of variants concern on December 20.

Only vaccines approved by Germany's Paul Ehrlich Institute are recognized, which currently comprises vaccines from BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. Licensed foreign versions of these vaccines are recognized as equivalent. A person is considered fully vaccinated if 14 days have passed since the second shot. For those who have recovered from a coronavirus infection, a single dose is sufficient. Also, only one vaccination is required for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Who needs to quarantine?

All arrivals failing to present proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative COVID-19 test must self-isolate. Likewise, arrivals from high-risk and virus variant countries must quarantine in Germany.

Travelers from high-risk countries must spend ten days in self-isolation, whereas those from virus variant countries must self-isolate for two weeks.

Individuals from high-risk countries may cease self-isolating if they can present a negative test result on day five. This option is not available for people from virus variant destinations.

Germany's disease control agency, the Robert Koch Institute, currently classifies a spate of EU member states high-risk countries, among them Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece, Austria and Croatia. Anyone wishing to travel to Germany from there must complete a digital passenger locator form. At the moment, Germany does not list any virus variant countries.

Before planning your journey, be sure to check whether Germany deems your country a high-risk and virus variant destination.

Do I need to take a coronavirus test before arriving?

Not necessarily. Provided travelers can prove they are fully vaccinated, or have recovered from a coronavirus infection, no test is needed. Some airlines and train operators, however, ask passengers to take an additional COVID-19 test.

In Germany, PCR tests are accepted only if taken within the past 72 hours, rapid tests may be no older than 48 hours.

I'm a German tourist and contracted the coronavirus on holiday. May I return to Germany?

The Ministry of Health urges anyone who has fallen ill with COVID-19 to quarantine abroad, instead of returning home and potentially infecting others. Even so, authorities may not refuse entry to Germany. If you do make your way back, be sure to self-isolate the moment to step foot on German soil.

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is barred from air travel. Likewise, infected individuals from high-risk or virus variant destinations are also banned from traveling to Germany.

I want to travel to Germany with my children. Which rules apply?

The rules set out above apply to children aged 12 and above. Those below this age are exempt from proving they are vaccinated, have recovered, or tested negative. Moreover, they are required to quarantine only for five days when returning from a high-risk country.

I have a stopover at a German airport. Which rules apply to me?

Persons changing flights at a German airport without entering the country can disregard Germany's travel rules. The same applies to persons who are transiting through Germany without stopping. In this case, travelers are not required to go into quarantine, nor complete a passenger locator form. It is advisable, however, to become acquainted with the entry rules of your final destination. If en route to another EU country, be sure to consult Re-open EU, a platform with detailed information on travel rules and coronavirus rules in all EU member states.

May I travel freely inside Germany after my arrival?

In principle, yes. But as all 16 of Germany's federal states have the power to pass individual coronavirus regulations, you should carefully check where you are planning to go. Saxony, which has recorded a dramatic spike in coronavirus cases, has severely restricted public life to contain the outbreak. Tourists are temporarily banned from visiting the state. Business travelers, meanwhile, are still welcome. Bavaria has instituted similarly strict rules.

May tourists visit cinemas, museums and restaurants in Germany?

Rules can vary from state to state, and sometimes even by region. Many federal states such as Berlin, Hamburg, Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia have instituted the so-called "2G" ("geimpft oder genesen" — vaccinated or recovered) rule for many venues and public events. It means only persons who can prove they are vaccinated or have recovered may enter restaurants, museums and attend certain events. Unvaccinated guests will find it challenging to go about touristic activities.

Germany's epidemiological situation is in flux. States and regions may adapt or even intensify measures aimed at curbing the recent infection surge. Some have even called for the "2G" rule to be rolled out nationwide.

In any case, tourists are well-advised to research the latest rules applicable in the parts of Germany they wish to visit.

What must I do if I contract the coronavirus during my stay in Germany?

Go into quarantine as fast as possible and inform the health authority in question. To find out which agency to contact, consult this website. If you are having severe COVID-19 symptoms, call a doctor or ring the following number: 116 117. In an emergency, dial 112 or go to your nearest hospital.