IMPACTED by the global shortage of sequencing reagents, the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center (PGC) was able to sequence only 48 samples for the fourth batch of sequencing of Covid patients, but none of which was positive for the B.1.1.7 or the new UK variant, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that usually, 750 specimens are being sequenced. “But due to shortage we had to use the smaller machine which can only run 48 samples per process,” Vergeire said.
Of the 48 samples, 23 cases came from the National Capital Region, mostly from Quezon City; 19 from Calabarzon with most cases from Laguna; 4 from the Cordillera Region; and 2 were returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs).
The DOH also reported that seven of these cases have already been tagged as recovered, while the rest are active, either asymptomatic or mild cases.
In their report, the UP-PGC said that they were only able to sequence samples from two ROFs, as these two are the only samples that met the minimum amount and cycle threshold value required for sequencing.
Moreover, the PGC is also set to sequence another 48 samples this coming week, including samples from CAR and other targeted areas, while waiting for the kits and reagents for genomic sequencing.
“Thus, the public is urged to strictly adhere to these standards, especially when going to public places, by properly wearing face masks and face shields, maintaining a 1-meter distance from other people, limiting the time of interaction to others, ensuring proper air circulation in any establishments or venues, and to regularly sanitize hands,” the DOH said.
On Sunday, the DOH logged 2,103 additional Covid-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 525,618.
There were also 11,653 recoveries and 80 deaths posted through the “Oplan Recovery,” a time-based and symptom-based recovery strategies program, which is an initiative that the DOH activated to monitor the status of confirmed Covid-19 deaths and recoveries. Of the total number of cases, 5.2 percent (27,318) are active, 92.8 percent (487,551) have recovered, and 2.05 percent (10,749) have died.
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