Ph to give Myanmar 5 M Sputnik V doses
By Nidz Godino
Close to expiry, Philippines is considering donating to Myanmar five million doses of Sputnik V COVID vaccine.
The donation would be the first by Philippines to another nation, after it scrambled for much of last year to procure vaccines for its 110 million population.
Health officials have said Philippines now has ample supplies.
Authorities are seeking clearance to donate Russian vaccines through Myanmar Red Cross Society, health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told a regular news conference.
Vergeire said less than half of 53 million population have received two doses of COVID vaccine in Myanmar, a country in turmoil since military seized power 15 months ago.
That compares to nearly 67.9 million people vaccinated in the Philippines, which has battled one of the worst COVID-19 crises in Asia.
South Korea has loosened rules requiring masks to be worn outdoors as COVID-19 cases drop, but many people are not taking them off yet due to pervasive Omicron infections.
Health authorities lifted mandate in the latest step to relax distancing curbs, even amid opposition from transition team of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol which has called decision premature.
Most people were seen wearing masks on bustling streets in Gwanghwamun district, where government and corporate buildings are located, saying protection makes them feel more at ease.
“I tried taking it off when I left home but then 70-80% of people I saw downtown were wearing it… I guess it’s too early to get rid of it even when we’re outside,” a 61 year old resident told media.
Another 52 years old residence said she would feel safer without a mask if daily infections fall further to about 5,000.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 20,084 new COVID-19 cases recently, with daily cases continuing to drop from a peak of more than 620,000 in mid-March.
People are still required to wear masks indoors, and at outdoor events with 50 attendants or more, such as at rallies, concerts and sports stadiums.
At Hyochang Park in central Seoul, around 80% of dozens of visitors were wearing masks.
The country of 52 million people has managed to limit its total caseload to 17,295,733 with 22,958 deaths, through aggressive tracing and testing as well as widespread vaccination.
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