The Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed that the B.1.1.7 (UK) coronavirus variant has been detected in seven regions in the country.
According to DOH-Epidemiology Bureau Director Dr. Alethea de Guzman, the B.1.1.7 variant has been recorded in the National Capital Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Regions 1 (Ilocos), 3 (Central Luzon), 4A (Calabarzon), 6 (Western Visayas), and 10 (Northern Mindanao).
The DOH also confirmed that another COVID-19 variant of concern, the B.1.351 (South Africa), is present in six regions — NCR, Regions 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), 4A (Calabarzon), 10 (Northern Mindanao), and 12 (Soccskargen).
The health department earlier said that both variants, which are said to be more infectious, have helped drive the surge of COVID-19 cases in the country.
So far, of 4,310 sequenced samples, 8.7% have tested positive for either the B.1.1.7 or B.1.351 variant.
“Sa ngayon, lahat na po ng siyudad sa NCR ay may kahit isang kaso po na may variant of concern [At present, all cities and municipalities in NCR have at least one case with a variant of concern],” de Guzman added.
Meanwhile, 85 or 23% of the reported cases with variants of concern were detected in returning overseas Filipinos.
“It comprises 23% of all our sequenced samples, kaya kailangan istrikto ang ating [so we have to be strict with our] border control,” de Guzman said.
The DOH also emphasized that regardless of the presence or absence of a variant, the local government units (LGUs) should ensure the quick implementation of the Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate (PDITR) strategy.
Since these variants of concern do not affect the severity of the disease, de Guzman said the clinical management of COVID-19 cases with these variants remains the same.
“’Yun lamang, kapag ang isang LGU ay naka-detect ng variant of concern, may dagdag na response lamang ang LGU, para ma-ensure na nakakapag-third generation tracing at ‘yung nakikitang positibo dun ay ise-sequence din po natin,” she added.
[However, if an LGU detects a (case with) a variant of concern, they have to implement an added response, to ensure third-generation tracing, while we will also sequence the positive cases.]
As of March 20, the DOH and the Philippine Genome Center have recorded 223 B.1.1.7 cases, 152 B.1.351 cases, one P.1 (Brazil) case, and 104 P.3 (Philippines) cases.
The DOH said it is still waiting for confirmation from the World Health Organization whether there is already a widespread community transmission of B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants in the country, and regarding the status of the P.3 variant as well. -Mark Fetalco
