Additional cases of Omicron sub-variants detected

The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Tuesday, July 5, the detection of 43 BA.5 cases, 20 BA.2.12.1 cases, and seven BA.4 cases in the whole genome sequencing run from June 29 to July 4.

The DOH said “there were 190 cases testing positive for the Omicron variant of concern and all of its sublineages (90.5%), while 21 samples have no lineage assigned.”

Of the cases, 185 are local and five are returning overseas Filipinos. Also, 42 of the 43 BA.5 cases are local, as well as the 16 of the 20 BA.2.12.1 cases, and all seven BA.4 cases. The remaining four BA.2.12.1 and one BA.5 case are ROFs.

To date, the total number of Omicron cases in the country has reached 7,919.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the “total hospital bed utilization nationwide still remains at low risk, and there were no deaths among the cases testing positive for the Omicron sub-variants.”

“Nevertheless, maintaining minimum public health standards and being up-to-date on vaccination should still be practiced by every Filipino to reduce transmission,” she added. LF-ag

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