RP A(H1N1) fatality rate at 0.06%

Although the health department has listed more than 1,800 cases of Influenza A(H1N1), only one has died so far. The fatality rate for the Philippines stands at 0.06%, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a congressional hearing on A(H1N1) last Monday, July 5.
Still, World Health Organizations (WHO) statistics say there were young, healthy people WITH NO UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITION who died of Influenza A(H1N1). It’s still not clear how and why, but the WHO said that in those cases, the progression of the disease was rapid and by the time they were brought for treatment they were already in a serious condition.
My notes on the congressional hearing last Monday.

Liwanag v Yu-Songquian

LIWANAG v YU-SONGQUIAN

FACTS: Yu-Chiocco leased a land on Calle Lemery, Tondo in 1901. The property, however, was later claimed by Leoncia Liuanag, on behalf of the estate of Yu-Chingco, who had died in China on Oct. 30 1901. Yu-Chiocco himself died in August 1902.

A(H1N1) cases double from last week: now at 1,709

The number of reported cases of A(H1N1) in the Philippines has doubled since last Saturday, and now stands at 1, 709. The good news is, only 224 are still under treatment; the rest have since recovered.

Many of the patients live in Metro Manila (1, 225). About half of the 1, 709 reported cases were males (894), and 831 (49%) were between 10-19 years old.

7, not 2 Navy men have H1N1 virus

Seven, not just two, Philippine Navy personnel, have Influenza A(H1N1) virus, according to the Philippine Navy. The seven are among the 23 Navy personnel who manifested flu-like symptoms, thirteen of whom are in the hospital.

RP’s A(H1N1) cases continue to go up; now number 861

Update 52

DUQUE: COUNTRY’S MILD A (H1N1) PATIENTS RESPONDING POSITIVELY TO TREATMENT

26 June 2009

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today reported 134 more mild cases of A (H1N1), noting that all are responding positively to their treatments. These additional cases bring the total count of confirmed cases of the novel virus to 861.

123 more confirmed cases of A(H1N1) brings total to 727

Update 51

DUQUE: 85 MORE A (H1N1) PATIENTS HAVE FULLY RECOVERED

25 June 2009

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today reported that 85 more A (H1N1) patients have fully recovered. This new number brings the total count of fully recovered cases to 536 or 74% of the total sum of reported confirmed mild cases since May 21.

Duque also disclosed that there are 123 more confirmed cases, all mild in nature, reported today. These new additional cases bring the total of confirmed cases to 727.

RP A(H1N1) cases jump to 604

DOH press release:

Update 50

DUQUE: 43 MORE A(H1N1) PATIENTS HAVE FULLY RECOVERED
24 June 2009

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today reported that 43 more A(H1N1) confirmed (mild) cases have fully recovered, bringing the total of fully recovered patients to 464. This figure represents 77% of the total confirmed cases recorded since May 21.

Duque also said that there are 131 more confirmed cases, all mild in nature, reported today. These new additional cases bring the sum of confirmed A(H1N1) cases to 604.

Signal no.2 up in Metro Manila

No classes in elementary and high school in Metro Manila.
Typhoon signal no. 2 is now up over Metro Manila, and, in Luzon, in Masbate, Ticao Island, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Romblon, Burias Island, Southern Quezon, Mindoro, Lubang Island, Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, Bataan, and Rizal.
In a bulletin issued late Tuesday night, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tropical Storm Feria has crossed Northern Samar and is moving west northwest towards Zambales. Check out the PAGASA website for the latest weather bulletin.

DOH admits “low level community outbreak” of A(H1N1) in Metro Manila

There is a “low level community outbreak” in some parts of Metro Manila, the health department said Tuesday, as it reported that there are now 473 cases of Influenza A(H1N1) in the country. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III however did not specify which areas in Metro Manila have a “low level community outbreak.”

The DOH had earlier said that Quezon City had the most number of cases in Metro Manila. Given the number of schools in Manila reporting cases of Influenza A(H1N1), however, those stats could well have changed.

There are probably cases of third generation transmission, the authorities said, adding that it would be hard to determine exactly which of the cases reported so far would be second or third generation.

They refused to say, however, that there is a community outbreak in the whole of Metro Manila, insisting that the numbers are low compared to the population and the number of schools in the metropolis.

Twenty-two schools have reported cases of Influenza A(H1N1), and the third generation transmission would probably be in some of those schools.

The rate of transmission, the health department said, is faster than health personnel can trace those who have been infected.

The MRT on a rainy day

When it rains, the best way to travel in Metro Manila is via the light rail train system: the MRT or the two LRTs. But, as this picture shows, “best way to travel” only means you’ll get there on time, but not necessarily dry.
If you look closely, you’ll see a woman holding a brown umbrella inside the MRT train, trying not to get wet, because the ceiling is dripping.