By Pearl Gumapos
The Omicron variant is three to five times more highly transmissible than the Delta variant, and that there is a big possibility that there is already community transmission of Omicron due to the rising number of cases, an infectious disease expert said on Saturday, Jan. 8.
“The experts’ opinion here is that because of these heavy mutations, the Omicron variant can be three to five times as highly transmissible as that of Delta,” Dr. Rontgene Solante said during the Laging Handa public briefing.
“Sa situation natin ngayon, with the enormous number of people being positive with the short duration of time, then I would say there is already community transmission of Omicron variant.”
According to Solante, once infected with the Omicron variant, it does not mean that an individual will no longer be infected with COVID-19.
“We know that kapag na-infect ka ng Omicron variant, once you recover, you still have an antibody, and that’s why you are protected against the reinfection of Omicron variant,” Solante said.
“Even if you are infected with the Omicron variant, it doesn’t mean that you are, in your lifetime, protected against COVID-19. As long as there is mutation, community transmission, you can always get COVID-19,” he said. – bny
