By Gabriela Baron
The Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine Genome Center (PGC) are intensifying the monitoring and surveillance activities amid the entry of the more transmissible BA.4 Omicron subvariant.
In an advisory, DOH said further information about the first BA.4 Omicron COVID-19 case detected in the country on Saturday, May 21, “is being verified by the concerned Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit.”
“The immediate priority is to ensure the case has been cared for and his close contacts quarantined to interrupt transmission. We will update everyone further as more reports come in,” DOH said.
On Saturday, the DOH detected the first case of Omicron BA.4 subvariant from a Filipino citizen who flew in from the Middle East last May 4.
Omicron BA.4 is considered as a variant of concern, which is seen to “either spread faster or cause worse illness.” – ngs
READ MORE: PH detects first case of Omicron BA.4
