The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 14 new cases of Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1 in Metro Manila and Puerto Princesa.
According to DOH, the two reported local cases of the subvariant in Metro Manila were asymptomatic and are now fully recovered after they completed their home quarantine.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that they are continuously verifying the vaccination status, quarantine, and testing information of the 39 close contacts of the patients.
Meanwhile, 12 individuals in Puerto Princesa are also positive for subvariant BA.2.12.1. They are among the passengers of a mini cruise line wherein 14 foreign tourists and one local got positive to COVID-19
Of the 15 cases, five have experienced mild symptoms, but are now asymptomatic and were tagged recovered. A total of 28 close contacts, whose vaccination status have yet to be verified, are negative for the disease.
The new BA.2.12.1 is the sublineage of Omicron variant BA.2 recorded in 23 countries
The DOH is encouraging the public to take their primary dose series and booster doses, noting that the new subvariant is said to be more contagious
Meanwhile, there is no observed outbreak or surge of COVID-19 cases yet, according to National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 medical adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa. Despite this, NTF is continuously monitoring subvariants of Omicron. – Report from Gillian Geronimo/ML-ag
