The total daily COVID-19 cases reached 1,298 as of December 1, 4:00 p.m., according to the latest data of the Department of Health (DOH).

The report also showed that the number of recoveries is at 135, while deaths increased by 27.

With the new record, the total number of COVID-19 patients is now at 432,925 with 25,725 active cases.

Meanwhile, the total recoveries and deaths reached 398,782 and 8,418, respectively.

The DOH also noted three duplicates were removed from the total case count where two were found out to be recovered cases.

Meanwhile, nine cases previously tagged as recovered were reclassified as deaths. On the other hand, one case that was previously reported as death has been validated as an active case. -AAC

The Department of Health (DOH) has urged the public to limit family reunions this holiday season to prevent a surge of COVID-19 cases.

DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said it is better to conduct reunions at home rather than in public areas like restaurants.

He also suggested doing an online reunion, instead, for the safety of every family.

“May Zoom, Webex, iba ibang platform. Online mass [gathering], huwag na punta sa mga lugar na maraming dumadalong mga mamamayan dahil tumataas risk contracting COVID-19 (There is Zoom, Webex, and other platforms. Online mass gathering is better, don’t go to crowded places since it would increase the risk of contracting COVID-19),” Duque said.

Meanwhile, the Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19 (HPAAC) also reminds families to continue practicing minimum health safety protocols during the holiday season.

HPAAC member Dr. Antonio Dans said it is better to meet up in open or well-ventilated areas and to limit interactions with other people.

“The shorter the time the better, 30 minutes or less […] keep it to a minimum. Ang recommended ng WHO at CDC keep it to 15 minutes (The recommendation of the WHO and the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) is to keep it to 15 minutes),” he said. AAC (with reports from Joan Nano)

The Philippine Government is expected to sign a tripartite agreement with the private sector for 2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from the United Kingdom’s AstraZeneca.

Philippine vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on Thursday (November 26) announced that they will sign the deal on Friday (November 27). The 2 million doses will be funded by the private sector.

“With the partnership and the mobilization of the private sector, magiging maganda po ang paglaban natin sa pandemic kasi ang mangyayari po (we will have a good chance in our fight against the pandemic because what will happen is that) they will co-share their responsibility in protecting their economy by vaccinating their own people and stakeholder,” he said.

Meanwhile, the government also negotiating with AstraZeneca for around 20 million doses which will be paid using public funds.

“The 2.2 million [doses] is private money. We have ongoing negotiations with AstraZeneca and our deadline is December for access to 20 million doses,” Galvez said.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is reportedly proven to be 70% effective against COVID-19.

The company has already submitted the necessary documents to the Department of Health’s (DOH) Vaccine Experts Panel to conduct clinical trials in the country. -AAC (with reports from Rosalie Coz)