By Gabriela Baron
The Department of Health (DOH) detected on Saturday, May 21, the first case of Omicron BA.4.
In an advisory, DOH said it detected the first case of Omicron BA.4 from a Filipino citizen who flew in from the Middle East last May 4.
He eventually tested positive for the subvariant on May 8, but was asymptomatic.
Omicron BA.4 is considered as a variant of concern (VOC), which is seen to “either spread faster or cause worse illness.”
“BA.4’s faster transmission is likely because of its ability to evade immune protection induced by prior infection and/or vaccination, particularly if this has waned over time,” the DOH said.
“While [European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control] has not observed any change in severity for BA.4 compared to other Omicron subvariants, we must be careful because faster transmission will lead to a spike in cases that could overwhelm our hospitals and clinic,” it noted.
The Health department assured that it has been coordinating with the concerned local government unit (LGU) to “rapidly implement detection and isolation.”
The DOH also called on LGUs to “proactively seek” unvaccinated individuals and persons already eligible for COVID-19 booster shots “to make it convenient to get a jab.”
It then advised the public to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 “as soon as possible” and to continue following health protocols, such as wearing best-fitting mask, isolating when sick, and ensuring good airflow.-ngs
