MANILA/TOKYO – The Philippine Health Department has allocated P18 million for the clinical trials of Japanese antiviral drug Avigan as a possible treatment against the new coronavirus, President Rodrigo Duterte said in his latest report to Congress.

TOKYO – While Japan aims to approve the use of Avigan (favipiravir), an antiviral drug developed by Fujifilm Toyama Chemical Co., against the new coronavirus in the country within this month, researchers are also trialing three other country-made drugs as possible treatments for COVID-19.

MANILA – Philippine Airlines, Asia's first airline and the country's flag carrier, on Wednesday said it plans to resume passenger flights, which is currently under hiatus due to travel curbs imposed by the government in an attempt to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, by June 1.

TOKYO – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday expressed his belief that Japan will overcome the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic with the cooperation of the people.