At least 144 close contacts were identified from the 12 individuals detected with the United Kingdom (UK) variant of COVID-19 in Bontoc, Mountain Province.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), 34 of the close contacts tested positive for COVID-19 and their samples are being secured for genome sequencing to determine if they are carrying the UK variant.
Three clusters of COVID-19 infection have been identified by the DOH.
“So itong tatlong clusters ng infection na nakita natin, nakikita na natin yung pagkakahawa-hawa na nangyari dito sa mga areas na ito. Nakita natin yung mga pinagmulan (In this three clusters of infection, we have seen the transmission that took place in these areas. We have identified the sources),” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire disclosed.
However, she clarified that this is not yet definite and there is still a need to backtrack to see if see if there were others who left the country and returned to the place.
One of the UK variant cases in Bontoc is currently under critical condition.
Mayor Franklin Odsey who also tested positive for the disease has guaranteed assistance to infected residents and assured that measures are in place to arrest virus transmission.
“As of now, there are 5 barangays, 4 ‘yung nasa central at 1 sa outskirt (4 in the central and 1 in outskirt) that will be under lockdown up to January 31. If the contact tracers who are now in our municipality will not be able to finish their contact tracing, then we will extend the lockdown,” Odsey stated.
Meanwhile, 97 close contacts were identified from the lone UK variant case in La Trinidad, Benguet. Four of the contacts who are household members tested positive for COVID-19.
The retuning overseas Filipino (ROF) in Iloilo who tested positive with the new variant has been located by authorities, while the ROF in Binangonan is currently being verified.
The result of the new batch of genome sequencing is expected to be released this weekend. – Report from Mark Fetalco
