PH confirms another over 3,000 Covid-19 cases

The Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed 3,758 more people who have been infected with the virus that causes Covid-19.

Based on the DOH data, a total of 36,115 individuals are still sick with Covid-19 across the country as of Thursday, Aug. 18. The figure was slightly higher from the 35,101 active cases logged on Wednesday, Aug. 17.

The National Capital Region registered the most number of cases in the recent 14 days with 14,779, followed by Calabarzon with 9,147, Central Luzon with 5,027, Western Visayas with 2,638, and Cagayan Valley with 2,206.

The new cases on Thursday brought the country’s running tally of infections to 3,844,708. Majority of the cases or 3,747,372 people have recovered, while deaths related to Covid-19 stood at 61,221.

Medicines vs Covid-19

Amid the increasing number of cases, the DOH assured the public that the Philippines has sufficient supply of medicines for Covid-19 treatment such as molnupiravir, nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid), remdesivir, tocilizumab, among others. It also added that there is enough supply of testing kits for Covid-19.

“‘Yun pong recommendation regarding sa stockpiling of our antiviral drugs para sa Covid-19, dati pa naman po natin ginagawa iyan (The recommendation regarding the stockpiling of antiviral drugs for Covid-19, we have long been doing that). Our health system and our hospitals have always been at that point where we want to be more prepared than the previous situation that we have,” said DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire in a recent press briefing.

“So, rest assured para po sa ating mga kababayan, handa po ang ating sistema para po kung saka-sakali na tumaas ang mga kaso meron tayong enough medicines, we have enough oxygen supply, para po ma-manage natin kung saka-sakali dadami ang severe and critical (Rest assured that our [health] system is prepared in case the number of the infections increases. We have enough medicines, we have enough oxygen supply that can be used to manage severe and critical [cases]),” she added.

Vergeire also said that they have also expanded the access to such medicines for Covid-19.

“We can now procure or buy these antiviral drugs in FDA [Food and Drug Administration]-licensed pharmacies,” she said.

“We have expanded access already hindi nalang sa mga ospital niyo makukuha ang mga gamot na ito, makukuha na rin ito commercially (not only can you get these drugs in hospitals, you can also get them commercially) as long as you have the prescription of your doctors,” she added.

Recently, Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion urged the government to stock up on antiviral medicines in order to “build up” the country’s “defenses” against Covid-19.