MANILA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Department of Health (DOH) of the Philippines on Friday reported 1,639 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total tally to 415,067.
The DOH said that 305 more patients recovered, raising the total number of recoveries to 375,237. The death toll rose to 8,025 after 27 more patients died from the coronavirus epidemic.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the government is pleased with the results of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted from Sept. 17-20, which showed 66 percent of the country's adult population are willing to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
"We hope there will be a significant increase in the number of Filipinos willing to get the COVID-19 vaccine as President Rodrigo Duterte wants all Filipinos to get vaccines, with priority given to the poor, indigents, and other vulnerable sectors," he added.
Carlito Galvez, the chief implementer of the national action plan to combat COVID-19, stressed the need for a public information campaign to make people understand the importance of getting the vaccine.
"Information drive on the vaccine is crucial," Galvez said in a television interview.
Galvez said the government plans to vaccinate 25 million Filipinos in 2021 and another 25 million in 2022, or less than half of the country's 110 million population.
Priority will be given to frontline workers including health care workers, policemen and soldiers, and the vulnerable people in poor communities such as the elderly, he added.
The Philippines is in talks with at least 17 foreign vaccine developers in several countries. Enditem
