The Department of Health (DOH), the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC), and the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) today report the detection of one (1) P.1 variant case, 170 B.1.1.7 variant cases, 192 B.1.351 variant cases, and 19 P.3 variant cases among two (2) batches of 25 samples sequenced on March 28, and 1,336 samples sequenced between March 28 to April 8.
ON B.1.1.7 VARIANT CASES:
Of the additional 170 B.1.1.7 variant cases, eight (8) cases are Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROF), 119 are local cases, and 43 cases are currently being verified if they are local or ROF cases. Based on the case line list, 2 cases have died and 168 cases have recovered.
ON B.1.351 VARIANT CASES:
Of the additional 192 B.1.351 variant cases, 1 case is a Returning Overseas Filipino (ROF), 143 are local cases, and 48 cases are currently being verified if they are local or ROF cases. Based on the case line list, 2 cases are still active, 3 cases have died, and 187 cases have recovered.
ON P.1. VARIANT CASES:
The one active P.1 variant case is a Returning Overseas Filipino from Brazil with current address in SOCCSKSARGEN.
ON P.3 VARIANT CASES:
Of the 19 additional P.3 variant cases, 2 are ROFs, 10 are local cases, and 7 cases being verified if they are local or ROF cases. All cases have recovered.
With the increasing number of variant cases being detected, the DOH reiterates that alongside the PDITR strategies being implemented by the government and the imposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine to reduce contact rate and limit the spread of variants, strict and consistent adherence to the minimum public health standards and increased support for the National Vaccination Program will significantly mitigate transmission of COVID-19. (DOH-PR)
