Monday, March 29, 2021

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/

New infections breach 10,000 in a single day

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 01:34 AM PDT

AFTER reporting over 9,000 new infections for three consecutive days, the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, March 29, 2021, recorded 10,016 new cases, a new record high for the Philippines.

The new cases brought the cumulative case count to 731,894 and raised the number of active cases to 115,495.

The active cases, which refer to patients in hospitals and isolation facilities, constitute 15.8 percent of the total case count.

The daily positivity rate remained elevated at 18 percent as of noon of March 28. There were 28,492 samples tested for Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The DOH case bulletin also listed 16 additional mortalities, increasing the Covid-19 death toll to 13,186, or 1.8 percent of the total case count.

There were 78 new recoveries, bringing the total to 603,213, or 82.4 percent of the case count.

The National Capital Region (NCR) continues to account for the highest number of new cases.

In the last 14 days to March 28, the DOH tracker showed the the NCR had 48,951 new cases, followed by Calabarzon (14,058), Central Luzon (8,159), Central Visayas (4,191) and Cagayan Valley (2,731).

Among the cities and provinces, Quezon City had the highest 14-day running total of 9,814 as of March 28, followed by Manila with 7,750, Cavite with 5,034, Bulacan with 4,923 and Rizal with 4,046.

As of March 27, 42 health facilities in the NCR posted critical occupancy rates of more than 85 percent for Covid-19 patients while 21 were at high risk, 16 at moderate risk and 72 in the safe zone.

NCR and four neighboring provinces - Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal - were placed in a fresh lockdown for Holy Week from March 29 to April 4, 2021 to tame Covid-19 transmission. (Marites Villamor-Ilano / SunStar Philippines)

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Heavy traffic observed on 1st day of Holy Week lockdown

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 12:06 AM PDT

HEAVY traffic met motorists within the National Capital Region (NCR) plus bubble as the police established checkpoints and enforced enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) protocols against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) transmission on Monday, March 29, 2021.

Commuters, from both private and public vehicles, must present an identification card (ID) or certificate of employment and other documents to show that they are authorized persons outside residence (Apor).

Considered as Apor are: essential workers; health and emergency frontline services personnel; government officials and government frontline personnel; duly authorized humanitarian assistance actors; persons traveling for medical or humanitarian reasons; persons going to travel abroad; and returning overseas Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers.

Non-Apor who have to procure essentials will be asked to provide proof of their residence.

The police boarded buses and inspected public utility jeepneys to check each passenger's documents, ensure that the number of passengers is equivalent to only half of capacity, and enforce minimum public health standards.

Unlike last year's ECQ which suspended the public transport system, this new lockdown from March 29 to April 4, 2021 merely limits the capacity of public transport units to 50 percent.

The minimum public health standards include wearing of face masks and face shields, and physical distancing.

At the boundary of Muntinlupa City and San Pedro, Laguna and at the Susana Heights exit in Muntinlupa, many motorists who are not Apor were asked to return home.

A queue of vehicles stretching around two kilometers was observed along the coastal road due to a checkpoint upon entry to Roxas Boulevard.

Lieutenant General Hawthorne Binag, Joint Task Force Covid Shield commander, said policemen manning the checkpoints were ordered not to delay essential workers and cargoes.

"Kaya kahapon sa ating dissemination pinag-utos ng ating hepe na maging flexible ang pulis, ipatupad natin ang ECQ pero unawain din natin na kailangan natin ang essential workers kailangan natin ng manggagawa sa botika, magdedeliver ng pagkain basta lang meron silang pruweba maipakita nila na sila nga ay kasama sa essential worker at Apor," Binag said during his inspection in a checkpoint in Muntinlupa City.

"Mas flexible para hindi kami maging sagabal sa pagdaloy ng ating mga manggagawa ating mga essential workers, frontliners at mga Apor," he added.

Binag reiterated their appeal to non-Apor to stay at home.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has set up over 1,500 quarantine control points within the NCR plus bubble during the Holy Week ECQ from March 29 to April 4, 2021.

NCR plus includes NCR or Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal. (SunStar Philippines)

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Labor leader shot dead in Laguna

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 11:14 PM PDT

A LABOR leader, who took part in the filing of criminal charges against the police over the killing of nine activists in Calabarzon, was killed in a shooting incident in Calamba, Laguna over the weekend.

Dandy Miguel, Pamantik Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) vice chairperson and head of the Lakas ng Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng Fuji Electric - Olalia-KMU, was shot dead by unidentified men on Sunday, March 28, 2021.

Pamantik KMU said Miguel he took part in the filing of criminal charges before the Commission on Human Rights in relation to the killing of nine activists during the simultaneous service of search warrants over illegal possession of firearms and ammunition by police and military operatives in Calabarzon on March 7, 2021.

The police have yet to release a report on the killing of Miguel and the results of the investigation into the killing of the nine activists. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)

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Police told to be flexible in enforcing ECQ protocols

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 10:12 PM PDT

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Debold Sinas reminded police personnel to be "flexible" in implementing the new lockdown in Metro Manila and four neighboring provinces from March 29 to April 4, 2021.

Lieutenant General Hawthorne Binag, PNP deputy chief for operations, said that aside from enforcing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) protocols, the police were reminded to also take care of themselves.

"'Yung gagawin lang nila doon papaalalahanan, sa nagviolate pabalikin or issuehan ng ticket ayon sa ordinansa or dalhin sa isang lugar kung nagviolate sila, sa isang gym or malaking lugar para bigyan ng lecture or panuorin ng video para pagpapaalala sakanila, hindi sila para pahirapan kundi para paalalahanan nitong ECQ protocol natin," Binag said in a virtual press conference on Sunday, March 28, 2021.

"Ang utos dapat ang checkpoint, number 1, may provisions para mag-turn around ang mga sasakyan para sa mga pababalikin ay makakapag u-turn, dapat security assured pangatlo at least 'yung basic na pangangailangan nila malapit o makita doon bukod sa mga tent gaya ng bathroom, personal necessities, pahingahan," he added.

Binag said they have tapped the Highway Patrol Group and other support units to provide assistance particularly in the conduct of inspection.

He said those who will be deployed during the seven-day ECQ from March 29 to April 4 will undergo Covid-19 testing and isolation after.

The PNP has deployed a total of 7,876 police personnel in 929 checkpoint areas in the National Capital Region, 982 cops in 162 control points in Central Luzon, particularly in Bulacan, and 498 policemen in 15 quarantine control points in Calabarzon.

Three Calabarzon provinces, namely, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal, have also reverted to ECQ. These are part of the NCR+ bubble, which was created a week ago in a bid to slow down transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Binag said there is no need for travel passes as IDs or certificates to prove one's employment status will suffice in order for them to pass through checkpoints. He said quarantine passes will depend on the barangays.

"Dapat maipakita lang nila na taga doon talaga sila sa lugar at bibili lang at uuwi agad sa kanilang mga bahay," he said.

Binag reminded that persons below 18 and over 65 years old, persons with comorbidities and pregnant women are required to stay at home.

"Doon sa mga hindi Apor (authorized person outside residence) nakikiusap kami na huwag na muna kayong lumabas kaso pababalikin din kayo," he said. (SunStar Philippines)

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Former President Joseph Estrada hospitalized for Covid-19

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 09:55 PM PDT

FORMER President Joseph Ejercito Estrada has been hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), his sons said Monday, March 29, 2021.

Former senator Jinggoy Estrada said he noticed his father, 83, growing weaker.

"Huwebes napansin ko na na medyo nanghina ang kanyang katawan. Madalas siyang magpunta sa banyo. Medyo kinabahan na ako. Pina-swab ko that day, negatibo naman. Pagkatapos kahapon napansin kong mahinang mahina siya. Hinihingal," the younger Estrada said in a radio interview.

"Doon na ako naalarma. Inuubo din. Sabi ng doktor na kakilala ko dalhin na sa ospital," he added.

As standard operating procedure, Estrada underwent swab testing. This time, the result was positive for Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.

Another son, former senator JV Ejercito, asked for prayers in a social media post.

"Please pray for my father who has tested positive for Covid-19 and was rushed to the hospital. Please pray for all those who are likewise fighting this virus," Ejercito posted on social media.

Please pray for my father who has tested positive for COVID-19 and was rushed to the hospital.

Please pray for all those who are likewise fighting this virus.

— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) March 28, 2021

Younger son Jake Ejercito said the former president is in stable condition.

"Our dad, former president Joseph Estrada, tested positive for Covid-19. He's now confined in a hospital and is in stable condition. Please pray for his recovery and the recovery of everyone affected by the virus," he said in a separate post.

Our dad, former president Joseph Estrada, tested positive for COVID-19. He's now confined in a hospital and is in stable condition. Please pray for his recovery and the recovery of everyone affected by the virus

— jake ejercito (@unoemilio) March 28, 2021

Jinggoy Estrada said the former president may have contracted the virus from one of his visitors.

He said his father seldom stepped out of their home.

He and other close contacts of his father have undergone swab tests and gone into isolation.

Estrada served as former president from June 30, 1998 to January 20, 2001, when he was ousted from office during the Second Edsa Revolution. (SunStar Philippines)

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Over 9,000 new Covid-19 cases for 3rd straight day

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 02:31 AM PDT

NEW cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) exceeded 9,000 for the third straight day on Sunday, March 28, 2021, while the daily positivity rate nationwide soared to nearly 20 percent.

In its case bulletin at 4 p.m. Sunday, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 9,475 new cases, the third highest single-day count in the country after the 9,838 on March 26 and the 9,595 on March 27.

While the number of new cases appear to be going down, the daily positivity rate soared to 19.8 percent as of noon of March 27. This means that nearly one of every five tests conducted yielded a positive result.

The tests conducted as of noon Saturday were lower at 26,244.

The new cases on Sunday brought the seven-day running total to 58,233, about 13 percent higher than the 51,554 for the entire month of January 2021.

The DOH has been reporting runaway numbers in March, as cases with the Sars-CoV-2 variants have been increasing.

The second half of March saw daily cases surpassing the 6,958 peak on August 10, 2020. In just 27 days, cases surged past the total number of cases recorded in the entire month of August.

As of Sunday, the cumulative case count in the country has increased to 721,892.

There was a "mass recovery" of 22,000, which brought the total to 603,154 and reduced the active cases to 105,568.

The number of active cases on Sunday were, however, still four times the caseload. at the start of 2021.

The DOH case bulletin also listed 11 additional deaths, which raised the Covid-19 death toll in the Philippines to 13,170.

Given the exponential rise in new infections and the low number of deaths, the case fatality rate retreated further to 1.82 percent on Sunday.

The National Capital Region (NCR), or Metro Manila, accounts for the highest number of new as well as active infections.

As of March 27, DOH said NCR had 58,007 active cases, including 5,355 new infections.

It was followed by Calabarzon, with 17,424 active cases and 1,760 new cases; Central Luzon, 9,555 active cases and 945 new cases; Central Visayas, 7,375 active cases and 373 new cases; and Cagayan Valley, 3,600 active cases and 457 new cases.

NCR and the neighboring provinces of Bulacan (Central Luzon), and Cavite, Laguna and Rizal in Calabarzon will be placed under a fresh lockdown for the Holy Week from 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 29, 2021, until Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021, in a bid to tame Covid-19 transmission. More than 25 million people are affected. (Marites Villamor-Ilano / SunStar Philippines)

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