You are currently viewing COVID-19: A General Overview

August 15, 2020

by: Marriane Solante

The disease that got all countries to have an emergency lockdown is known as the SARS-CoV-2, also called as COVID-19. It is an acute respiratory syndrome that was first recorded in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Its common symptoms include coughing, difficulty in breathing, fever, fatigue, and loss of smell. As of April 14, 2020, Johns Hopkins University (JHU) recorded 5,223 COVID cases in the Philippines, surpassing other ASEAN countries. On July 8, 2020, the country has topped Singapore for COVID cases and Indonesia for active cases. As of today (September 19, 2020), the Philippines have a total of 279, 526 cases, Indonesia having 236, 519 and Singapore only have 57, 558 cases.

The Philippine Health Ministry, the US drugmaker Pfizer Inc and the Russian embassy were due to meet to discuss and secure a supply of a Coronavirus vaccine. According to President Rodrigo Duterte, securing a supply of a vaccine from China and Russia would help lower the cases by December. The Philippines is also planning to launch clinical trials for the Russian COVID-19 vaccine by October, according to President Spokesperson Harry Roque, with the President to be inoculated by May of next year. The issued State of Calamity in the Philippines has been extended until September 21, 2021, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is to help the national government and LGUs to handle the funds and response to hold back the spread of the virus in the country.

COVID cases in Davao Region increased to 2,646 with 45 new cases on September 19, 2020. A lot of places have been under lockdown for two weeks at most. Agdao District, Buhangin, and Purok 23-C are one of them. They were classified as “very high risk” the past few months because of their high COVID cases. Barangay Monteverde had 64 cases from August 1 to 16, 2020. Mayor Sara Duterte explained that the area is small but that they had to lock down the other surrounding areas because in cases like this, the disease might spread even further. The reason why Leon Garcia was placed on lockdown is that they had the highest cases in Agdao District with 45 cases in July.

The city of Iligan has been placed under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine after which they had 34 new cases on August 31, 2020. Meanwhile, 1,453 were arrested for violating MGCQ law from May 16 to September 6, 2020. Mayor Sara Duterte has confirmed and clarified that the distribution for food is still on-going. Families who need the ration because they have been unemployed since lockdown can avail for help. They can request for a food ration through Davao City COVID-19 Operations Center, Davao City reports or they can go to CSWDO directly so that they can be given grocery packs. Meanwhile, two vendors and one security personnel have been tested positive for COVID-19 a few days before the opening of Roxas Night Market, which is on Sept 14, 2020. With the lifting of the liquor ban on September 21, 2020, people are allowed to remove their masks when eating or drinking, while it should be worn when talking (Executive Order No. 50-A).

Do not forget to wash your hands, wear your masks, avoid crowds, and keep a distance of one meter.