THE Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday reported the detection of an additional 10 cases of B.1.617.2 (India lineage) variants in the Philippines.
Along with those, 13 B.1.1.7 (UK) variant cases, seven (South Africa) B.1.351 variant cases, and one P.3 variant case, first detected in the Philippines, were among the 37 samples sequenced on May 14, 2021.
The latest sequencing run by the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC) and the UP-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) included the samples from the crew members of the MV Athens Bridge, from returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) with relevant travel history, and from deceased severe or critical Covid-19 cases.
B.1.617.2 variant cases
These 10 B.1.617.2 variant cases were in addition to the two cases previously reported on May 11, bringing the total of Indian variant cases here to 12.
Of these 10 cases, one was a seafarer who came from Belgium and the other nine were crew members of MV Athens Bridge.
The seafarer disembarked in Belgium and flew back to Manila via the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He arrived in the Philippines on a flight last April 24, 2021. He completed his isolation period last May 13, 2021.
The other nine B.1.617.2 cases were from the 12 PCR-positive Filipino crew of the Athens Bridge.
Four of the nine B.1.617.2 cases remain admitted at a hospital in Manila and are currently in stable condition while the other five are in an isolation facility.
Samples of the other three PCR-positive crew members were not eligible for sequencing. Likewise, these three crew members remain in an isolation facility.
“The DOH reiterates that all of the close contacts of the first two cases of B.1.617.2, previously reported last May 11, have completed the prescribed 14-day quarantine and have been discharged from their quarantine facility,” the DOH said.
Of the three initially reported Covid-19 positive cases that are close contacts of the second case in the plane, one was sent for sequencing but was not detected to harbor a variant of concern (VOC).
B.1.1.7 variant cases
Of the additional 13 B.1.1.7 variant cases detected, three cases are ROFs and 10 are local cases.
Based on the case line list, one case has died while 12 have been tagged as recovered.
B.1.351 variant cases
Of the additional seven B.1.351 variant cases, two cases are ROFs, two are local cases, and three cases are currently being verified as to whether they are local or ROF cases.
Based on the case line list, two cases are still active while one has died and four have recovered.
P.3 variant cases
The additional P.3 variant case is a local case with an address in Region IX. The person died last February 28, 2021.
At present, the P.3 variant is not identified as a VOC.
This variant is currently being investigated and information being continually collected to determine its public health implication.
“While the government is implementing stricter border control measures, the DOH urges the public to strictly adhere to the minimum public health standards and immediately get vaccinated when it’s their turn,” officials said on Saturday.
By following these measures, the DOH stressed, infection and further mutation of Covid-19 can be prevented.
“A low transmission rate means fewer chances for the virus to mutate,” it added.
On Saturday, the total number of Covid-19 cases surged to 1,138,187 after 6,739 additional infections were recorded.