The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said 615 first, second, and third generation contacts of the COVID-19 United Kingdom (UK) variant cases have been identified in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
It was recently confirmed that there are 12 UK variant cases in Bontoc, Mountain Province and among the suspected index cases is a returning overseas Filipino from UK. The suspected index case tested positive for COVID-19 but negative for the variant.
It has not yet been established how the 12 UK variant cases believed to have had connection with the suspected index case acquired the new strain.
“They have reviewed itong triaging system ng CAR at nakakita na rin sila ng 8 na mga OFWs or returning overseas Filipinos na bumalik sa bansa at pumasok sa mga lugar na ito (They have reviewed the triaging system of CAR and found 8 OFWs or returning overseas Filipinos entering the said areas),” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said in the Laging Handa briefing.
The samples of the individuals will be collected to determine the root of infection, considering that there is already a local transmission of COVID-19 in Bontoc.
“For now, diyan po sa (For now, in) Bontoc Mountain Province, we can still link and identify the sources. At nakikita po natin ang pagkakahawa-hawa riyan sa komunidad na ‘yan (And we’ve seen the transmission in that community),” Vergeire said.
“‘Yun pong mga specimen na galing sa Bontoc Province were analyzed by the Philippine Genome Center at iisang variant lang po ang lumabas diyan, ang B.1.1.7 which is the UK variant (The specimen from Bontoc Province were analyzed by the Philippine Genome Center and only one variant came out which is the B.1.1.7 or UK variant),” Vergeire added.
In the same briefing, the DOH has reported the establishment of vaccine operations centers in all its regional offices, readiness assessment tools for local governments, and training on adverse events.
It was also clarified that among the primary contraindications of the vaccines are severe allergic reactions. However, allergies to food and certain drugs are not included and those experiencing it only require medical certification that they are eligible to receive the vaccine. – Report from Mark Fetalco
