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DPA
Manila
The Philippines said on Tuesday it was ready to work with Russia in testing and producing a coronavirus vaccine being developed by Russian scientists.
Russia hopes to start mass production of its vaccine in October, and has offered to supply the Philippines or to team up with local firms to manufacture it in the country.
“The Philippines stands ready to work with Russia on clinical trials, vaccine supply and production, and other areas deemed practicable by relevant Philippine and Russian agencies to address this global health emergency,” a government statement said.
In a public address late Monday, the country’s outspoken president, Rodrigo Duterte, said: “When the vaccine arrives, I can be the first one to be experimented on ... If it is good for me, then it is good for everyone.”
The Department of Health on Tuesday reported 2,987 additional coronavirus infections, bringing the country’s total caseload to 139,538. The death toll rose to 2,312 with 19 more deaths, it added.
Amid calls by some to extend the new lockdown until the end of the month, Duterte said he could no longer stop people from going out to work.
“I don’t have any money to give to them,” he said.
The government has warned that the local economy, which suffered its worst contraction on record in the second quarter, would deteriorate further if the lockdown were extended.
Manila
The Philippines said on Tuesday it was ready to work with Russia in testing and producing a coronavirus vaccine being developed by Russian scientists.
Russia hopes to start mass production of its vaccine in October, and has offered to supply the Philippines or to team up with local firms to manufacture it in the country.
“The Philippines stands ready to work with Russia on clinical trials, vaccine supply and production, and other areas deemed practicable by relevant Philippine and Russian agencies to address this global health emergency,” a government statement said.
In a public address late Monday, the country’s outspoken president, Rodrigo Duterte, said: “When the vaccine arrives, I can be the first one to be experimented on ... If it is good for me, then it is good for everyone.”
The Department of Health on Tuesday reported 2,987 additional coronavirus infections, bringing the country’s total caseload to 139,538. The death toll rose to 2,312 with 19 more deaths, it added.
Amid calls by some to extend the new lockdown until the end of the month, Duterte said he could no longer stop people from going out to work.
“I don’t have any money to give to them,” he said.
The government has warned that the local economy, which suffered its worst contraction on record in the second quarter, would deteriorate further if the lockdown were extended.
