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DOH: COVID-19 patients given hydroxychloroquine on trial period will be under close monitoring
By LLANESCA T. PANTI, GMA News The Philippines will continue administering anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to those COVID-19 patients who are already on this treatment, Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said Wednesday.
Vergeire made the clarification in light of the World Health Organization (WHO) announcement that it is suspending administering hydroxychloroquine as treatment to COVID-19 patients on clinical trial since a safety review is underway.
“Kahapon nagsalita ang expert group ng WHO regarding hydroxychloroquine. Ang kanilang rekomendasyon ay itigil muna ang new allocation for new patients pero nagbigay din sila ng alokasyon na [sa mga] nag-a-undergo ng trial, maaari namang ituloy ito pero under close monitoring ng physician until na may adverse event,” Vergeire said during the Laging Handa briefing.
“Kailangan pong itigil pag may adverse events,” she added.
Patients given the said medicine on clinical trial are on voluntary participation.
The hydroxychloroquine was administered on COVID-19 patients in the country since the Philippines is part of the WHO solidarity trial in finding treatment for COVID-19.
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Vergeire earlier said that no new COVID-19 patients will be given hydroxychloroquine because of the WHO decision.
“Nagpalabas na po ng sulat ang aming proponent at ipinadala sa aking opisina, stating that we are pulling out [of the solidarity trial on hydroxychloroquine],” she said.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier appealed to the public to take care of themselves until the anti-COVID-19 vaccine comes in January 2021.
"So kung ganoon, 'wag ka sanang mamatay hanggang January [2021]. Hintayin mo 'yung vaccine. 'Pag tinawag ka ng kamatayan, sabihin mo p— ina ka umalis ka diyan, may hinihintay ako na vaccine. Hindi ko pa panahon mamatay," Duterte said.
The Philippines has recorded 14,669 COVID-19 cases thus far. Of this number, 3,412 recovered while 886 have died.
On May 26, the Philippines also registered 350 new COVID-19 cases, the highest number of recorded COVID-19 cases in a day since April 6.—AOL, GMA News