Around 10 samples from the nearly 90 close contacts of a UK traveler in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) who tested positive for COVID-19 are undergoing genome sequencing.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), not all positive samples can undergo sequencing because the CT value and quantity of specimen must be checked to determine if they pass the standards of the Philippine Genome Center (PGC).
The global shortage of the reagents to conduct genomic sequencing is also ffecting the country’s surveillance on new variants. The number of samples processed by the PGC per week declined from 750 to 48.
The normal operations of the PGC is expected to return this week with the arrival of reagents.
“Instead of procuring just 2 or 3 months-worth of supply, we are going to procure for about 6 months so that we can be assured that for the next six months, we will have these reagents that we can continue the process of sequencing,” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire disclosed.
The assistance of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on the matter has been sought for this year, including funding for reagents, testing kits, and other logistical requirements since these were not covered by the 2021 national budget.
Meanwhile, the total of UK variant cases in the country remains at 17. The OCTA Research Group earlier suspected that the more transmissible strain has been spreading in other provinces such as Cebu which has a reproduction number of 1.7.
The National Capital Region (NCR) which is considered as epicenter of COVID-19 in the Philippines reportedly has a stable number of cases of COVID-19. However, precaution is still necessary.
“For Metro Manila, it’s too early to risk putting Metro Manila under MGCQ at this stage, lalo na (especially) the vaccine rollout is about to happen,” Dr. Guido David stated.
“So unahin muna natin ‘yung vaccine rollout… It’s important na walang surge na nangyayari (We should prioritize vaccine rollout… It’s important that no surge is happening),” David added.
As the country marks the first anniversary of the first COVID-19 case, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the country “prepared and used the lockdown wisely to deal with the pandemic” which reflects the management “to prevent a large number of deaths like we have seen in several other countries.” – Report from Mark Fetalco
