UP webinar to discuss Europe’s COVID surge and what it means for us in the PH

Recently, countries such as the United Kingdom, Portugal, Germany, France, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain have seen a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases. Some studies show that two new Omicron sub-variants, BA.4 and BA.5, can evade the immune system and that neither previous infections nor vaccines provide robust protection.

A similar surge is emerging in the United States. All of these raise the fear of a new global wave of disease. Given the number of Filipino workers working overseas, we must stop, think, and prepare for what these surges could mean for us in the Philippines. Are we seeing the start of another surge? Should we be considering another wave of lockdowns and quarantines? How are the rollouts of the primary dose and second booster shots fairing?

This July 1, from 12nn to 2 pm, the University of the Philippines (UP), in partnership with UP Manila National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH), National Telehealth Center (NTC), and cooperation with UP Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH), invite you to join the fight against C.O.V.I.D-current COVID-19 problems, other outbreaks, viruses, infections, and disasters.

This week's episode of the UP "Stop COVID Deaths" webinar series is titled "COVID-19 Surge in Europe: Susunod ba tayo?". The webinar will feature Dr. Martin Hibberd, a Professor in Emerging Infectious Diseases from the Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He will talk about the magnitude of the problem in Europe and the interventions being put in place.

The second speaker will be UP-PGH's Chair for the Hospital Infection Unit, Dr. Regina P. Berba, who has just arrived from London and will be providing her insights regarding the situation there.

Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa, Senior Adviser to the National Task Force Against COVID-19 and Chair of the UP-PGH Department of Emergency Medicine at UP-PGH, will react to these two discussions. At the same time, Dr. Stella Marie L. Jose, UP-PGH Deputy Director for Health Operations at UP PGH, will officially close the webinar.

Register here and catch our weekly live tweets and streams via theUP System Twitter Accountand TVUP's Youtube channel and Facebook page.

The award-winning UP "Stop COVID Deaths" Webinar Series is the Philippines' first and only frontline-focused medical webinar series. It pioneered the discussion, dissemination, and adoption of knowledge on COVID-19 treatment and management. Follow our accounts to stay connected with your credible online community.