By Neil Jerome Morales
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines recorded 7,103 cases of new coronavirus on Friday, a daily increase in infections as authorities sharpened coronavirus curbs in the capital and approved Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use.
A new wave of cases in the Philippines, which has the second highest number of COVID-19 infections and deaths in Southeast Asia, threatens with hopes of a strong economic recovery after a record contraction last year and the loss of millions of jobs .
The health ministry said there were now 648,066 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 12,900 deaths, including another 13 deaths.
“The ministry continues to call on us to stay home and avoid going out if not necessary,” he said. The previous record was 6,958 cases on August 10th.
The latest outbreak is again concentrated in the busy Manila region and contains the more transmissible variants.
The coronavirus task force reduced the number of religious gatherings and conferences allowed on Friday to 30% of capacity from the previous 50% to April 4.
It also recommends closing cinemas, driving schools, libraries, museums and arenas for cockfights.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Philippines on Friday approved the Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Russian Gamaleya Institute.
The first deliveries of Sputnik V from Russia are expected in April, the head of Russia’s RDIF sovereign wealth fund, which markets the shot abroad, told Reuters.
“We have a huge demand for Sputnik vaccines from 52 countries where we are registered, but we will prioritize the Philippines and deliver the first volumes in April,” said Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of RDIF.
Sputnik V is the fourth shot to get permission for emergency use after vaccinations by Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sinovac.
Carlito Galvez, who is in charge of vaccinating the Philippines, said on Friday that the government would ask Russia to deliver about three million doses in April and May.
“The known and potential benefits of the Gamaleya Sputnik V vaccine … outweigh the known and potential risks,” said Rolando Enrique Domingo, FDA chief, adding that interim data show that the vaccine has an efficacy of 91 , 6% in age groups 18 and older.
U.S. vaccine manufacturers Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have inquired about the documents required for emergency approval, but have yet to submit applications, Domingo said.
The Philippines launched its vaccination process on March 1, receiving 1,125 million donations of the Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines.
The government plans to expand 140.5 million shots by December to vaccinate 70 million adults because they want to achieve herd immunity.
(Edited by Neil Jerome Morales; Edited by Ed Davies and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)