Following intensified genomic biosurveillance, the Department of Health (DOH) has detected two SARS-CoV-2 mutations in Central Visayas which are currently being investigated.
The two mutations tagged as E484K and N501 are being considered as mutations of concern. The DOH in Region 7 said the mutations were seen in 62 percent or 31 of 50 samples.
The samples were collected from the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, and Cebu Province. Experts are still identifying the implications of these mutations on public health.
The health department explained that it is natural for the virus to mutate, especially if there are many cases of the Coronavirus. However, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III clarified that this is not the only component contributing to the increase in the number of cases in Central Visayas.
“Mahirap mong iugnay ‘yan nang ganoon na lamang kasi marami rin tayong ibang factors na dapat alamin o obserbahan na nag-MGCQ ang Region 7 (It cannot be connected that easily, considering other factors to be observed with the MGCQ in Region 7),” Sec. Duque explained.
“Tumaas ang mobility ng mga tao. So kung tumaas ang mobility ‘yung contact rate tumaas rin, ‘yung transmission rate tumaas rin, etc. (The mobility of people increased. If mobility increased, the contact and transmission rate also rise, etc.),” the health chief elucidated.
Authorities are now planning to include more samples for genome sequencing from Central Visayas to determine if the said mutations have spread to other areas of the region.
DOH Region 7 Dir. Jaime Bernadas assured that containment measures are being intensified in the area, including case find and contact tracing initiatives. Local leaders have also been notified of possible scenarios following the detection of the two mutations.
“As per our recommendation, we were requesting for two weeks to evaluate the measures that we will be strengthening but it doesn’t mean we only started now. We have already started since January, but we have to intensify all those efforts, campaign for the minimum health standards,” Bernadas shared.
“This of course would mean a burden to our laboratory for more testing kits and burden for our facilities for more quarantine facilities,” he admitted. – Report from Mark Fetalco
