NEW Covid -19 cases hit the highest daily record on Saturday with 7,999 additional infections, surpassing the 7,103 cases recorded on Friday.
This, as the Department of Health (DOH) reported that the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC), and the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) have detected 46 additional B.1.1.7 (UK) variant cases, 62 additional B.1.351 (South Africa) variant cases, and six additional P.3 variant cases which were first detected in the Philippines.
The total number of infections in the country stood at 656,056. There were also 597 recoveries and 10 deaths.
Of the total number of cases, 12.3 percent (80,642) are active, 85.7 percent (562,484) have recovered, and 1.97 percent (12,930) have died.
Variants
The DOH said the additional detected cases positive for the variants were among the 150 samples, mostly from National Capital Region (NCR) laboratories.
B.1.1.7 variant cases
Of the additional 46 B.1.1.7 variant cases, 36 are local cases from the NCR, two are returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs), and eight cases are currently being verified if they are local or ROF cases. This brings the total number of B.1.1.7 cases in the country to 223. As to status, case database shows that 45 cases are still active and 1 is already recovered.
The two ROFs detected have the following regions as their indicated addresses – Cagayan Valley and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
B.1.351 variant cases
Of the 62 B.1.351 variant cases, 43 are local cases and 19 are being verified if they are local or ROF cases. This brings the total number of B.1.351 cases in the country to 152. Of the 43 local cases, 41 are from NCR and two are from Calabarzon. Based on the case line list, 60 cases are still active and two have recovered.
P.3 variant cases
Of the six additional cases, four are local cases and two are being verified if they are local cases or ROFs. The four local cases are from NCR. All six cases are currently active.
“The DOH, UP-PGC, and UP-NIH emphasize that at present, the P.3 variant is still NOT identified as a variant of concern as current available data are insufficient to conclude whether the variant will have significant public health implications,” the DOH stressed.
With the surge in cases, the DOH urged the public to stay at home unless extremely necessary and remember to avoid the three C’s (Closed spaces, Crowded places, and Close contact settings).
Meanwhile, with the upcoming Holy Week, the DOH told people to avoid large congregations and practice religious activities at home.
“Strict adherence to the minimum public health standards in all private and public settings is strongly emphasized to minimize Covid-19 transmission and avoid further mutations,” the DOH emphasized.
Image credits: AP/Aaron Favila
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