The Philippine showbiz industry continues to struggle as COVID-19 cases increased due to the spread of the Omicron variant.
On Wednesday, January 5, the main anchors of TV Patrol were replaced by relievers because they were quarantined after they were exposed to a person infected with COVID-19.
Amidst the pandemic, several TV programs halted their productions and some celebrities were quarantined after contracting the COVID-19 virus.
A musical-variety show also halted its taping after 40 percent of its staff and cast tested positive for COVID-19. While an unnamed lead star of a movie was also replaced after the celebrity tested positive for COVID-19.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Monday, January 10 in a briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte that the Philippines is now at critical risk from COVID-19.
“Our country is currently under critical risk case classification with a 690% increase in the seven-day moving average of daily reported cases.”
On January 11, Tuesday, the Department of Health Philippines announced through facebook that over 28,000 COVID-19 cases were added to the list.
It stated, “Ngayong 4 PM, Enero 11, 2022, ang Department of Health ay nakapagtala ng 28,007 na karagdagang kaso ng COVID-19. Samantala ay mayroon namang naitalang 4,471 na gumaling at 219 na pumanaw.
“Sa kabuuang bilang ng mga naitalang kaso sa bansa, 6.0% (181,016) ang aktibong kaso, 92.3% (2,792,946) na ang gumaling, at 1.74% (52,511) ang namatay.
“Ayon sa pinakahuling ulat, lahat ng mga laboratoryo ay operational noong January 9, 2022 habang mayroong 12 laboratoryo na hindi nakapagsumite ng datos sa COVID-19 Document Repository System (CDRS). Base sa datos sa nakaraang 14 na araw, ang kontribusyon ng 12 labs na ito ay humigit kumulang 4.2% sa lahat ng samples na naitest at 5.5% sa lahat ng positibong mga indibidwal.
“Pinapaalalahanan ang lahat na huwag maging kampante sa banta ng COVID-19. Bagkus, dapat natin ipagpatuloy ang tamang pagsunod sa minimum public health standards at lagging magsuot ng facemask, mag physical distancing, at maghugas ng kamay. Sa oras na makaramdam ng sintomas, AGAD NA MAG-ISOLATE at magpatest. Tandaan ang right test at the right time. Agad rin na magpabakuna upang makakuha ng dagdag na proteksyon laban sa COVID-19.”
Since the start of the pandemic, the postponement of media productions became a usual thing in showbusiness.
Physical closeness is also hindered for fans and actors as social distancing is strictly observed. Many jobs and businesses were also greatly affected.
