DOH-7: Central Visayas Still Free from new COVID-19 Variant

DOH-7 chief pathologist Dr. Mary Jean Loreche said on Tuesday at a virtual press briefing that Region 7 is still free from the B117 variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) has also submitted specimens from individuals who have a history of travel from 21 countries where a variant of severe acute respiratory disease-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been discovered to the Philippine Genome Center (PGC).

The genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 specimens from the Philippines may provide useful information on the battle against COVID-19, according to the DOH-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

“Whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 specimens from the Philippines can provide the data necessary to uncover patterns of virus circulation in the country,” said RITM in a statement.

Results of the genome sequencing may be available this week.

The sequencing also “provides essential information for the development of diagnostic tests, therapeutics, and vaccines, all of which will further aid in the pandemic response,” the RITM added further.

New COVID-19 variants

The new variant of COVID-19, known as B117, originated in the United Kingdom (UK) as early as September and has since spread to at least 20 countries worldwide.

The rapid spread of the new variant has prompted the Philippine Government to impose travel bans in various countries, including UK and the United States.

The UK variant of COVID-19 along with another variant that originated in South Africa are believed to be more contagious, but there have been no indications that the said variants are more deadly.

British researchers and public officials have since confirmed that the B117 variant is more transmissible than other versions of the coronavirus, with estimates ranging from 50% to 70% more infectious than the old variant.

The Philippines so far imposed travel bans to Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. With the government adding Portugal, India, Finland, Norway, Jordan, and Brazil, as announced by Malacañang on Wednesday. (GFB)