The Philippines now has over 2.75 million confirmed COVID-19 cases after reporting over 5,000 new cases for two straight days. The death toll stands at over 41,500 with over 63,000 active cases. WHO Philippines expressed concern over the low vaccination rate of only 25% for senior citizens, leaving over 6.4 million elderly at high risk. They call for accelerated vaccination efforts for senior citizens given the threat posed by the Delta variant.

2. Philippines' COVID-19 cases now at
2,751,667
The Philippines now has 2,751,667
confirmed COVID-19 cases after the
Department of Health (DOH) reported
5,807 new cases on Saturday, October 23.
This is the second straight day the country
recorded over 5,000 new cases
The DOH also reported 65 deaths on
Saturday, bringing the death toll to
41,585. Meanwhile, the recoveries were
up by 9,578, raising the total to 2,647,031.
Of the total cases, 63,051 or 2.3% are active.
This is the lowest number of active cases
since August 2, when it was at 62,615.
The DOH said all of the laboratories were
operational on Thursday, October 21, but two
failed to submit data on time. Based on the
past two weeks, this laboratory accounts for
0.16% of all samples and 0.01% of positive
cases.

3. Safety protocol

4. WHO Philippines expresses concern at the low
COVID-19 vaccination rate among senior citizens
in some LGUs amid rising threat from new variants
WHO Philippines calls for accelerated efforts by local government units
(LGUs) to vaccinate all senior citizens. To date, only about 25% of this
vulnerable group have been fully vaccinated, leaving 6.4 million of the
elderly at increased risk of severe illness and death. The risk is even
more immediate with the possible surge in COVID-19 cases following the
confirmation of the circulation of the more transmissible Delta variant.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines alerted today the
sluggish COVID-19 vaccination rate among senior citizens in some
LGUs. The slow rollout among senior citizens leaves the Philippines
vulnerable to its hospitals being overwhelmed due to severe cases
among the elderly, and possibly higher deaths due to a surge in cases
from the fast-spreading Delta variant confirmed to be locally
transmitted.

5. Despite improving vaccination
rates in other priority groups,
vaccination of the elderly – the
A2 population – lags, with only
about 25% fully vaccinated and
about 35% having received their
first dose.
We are very concerned that most of our
older, more vulnerable people are still
missing out on essential, life-saving
vaccines against COVID-19. Not
vaccinating most of our elderly now
means more of them will suffer from
severe illness and death. This is
unacceptable when we already have
adequate vaccine stocks to protect
them,” said Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe,
WHO Representative to the Philippines.

6. Some question about
people who ask.
1. Are there any side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine?
Like any vaccine, COVID-19 vaccines can cause mild, short term side effects, such
as a low-grade fever or pain or redness at the injection site. Most reactions to
vaccines are mild and go away within a few days on their own. More serious or long-
lasting side effects to vaccines are possible but extremely rare.
2. Who should be vaccinated first for COVID-19 vaccine?
While COVID-19 vaccine supplies are limited, health workers at high risk of
exposure and older people should be prioritized for vaccination.
3. How effective is the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine?
A single dose of Janssen Ad26.COV2.S was found in clinical
trials to have an efficacy of 66.9% against symptomatic
moderate and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection