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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Zambo Has 51 South African And One Philippine Variant Of COVID Per Gnome Sequencing

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The Department of Health and the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) on Sunday, May 30 officially confirmed the detection of the 501.V2 or B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 variant (South African variant) in Zamboanga City based on tests conducted on 257 samples sent by the Department of Health starting March 25, 2021.

The official announcement was made Monday afternoon after DOH officially transmitted to the CHO in Zamboanga.

Of the 257 samples sent for genome sequencing, 52 were found to be cases of variants of concern, of which 51 were cases of the South African variant while 1 case was Philippine variant.

Out of the 52 cases of variants of concern, 37 have fully recovered while 15 have expired. Some of those who expired had co-morbidities.

The DOH IX has gathered more samples for genomic bio-surveillance among local cases including reported cases or reinfections and clustering of cases or deaths.

The City Government, in coordination with the DOH, Department of Interior and Local Government and with support from the NIATF, is accelerating contact tracing activities. Prevent, detect, isolate, treat and reintegrate are the city’s focus in the COVID response.

The SA variant is one of the most virulent variants but the best way to prevent COVID transmission remains the same: strict compliance of the minimum health standards – wearing of face mask and face shield, washing/ sanitizing hands and maintaining physical distance.

The City Government reiterates its call to the public for stricter and religious observance of the health and safety protocols and stricter implementation of quarantine protocols to stem the COVID transmission and slow down virus mutations. (LGU PIO, photo courtesy of City Government of Zamboanga Facebook page)

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