By Gabriela Baron
The Department of Health (DOH) recorded on Friday, Dec. 23, four cases of BF.7 COVID-19 variant in the country.
Of the 133 samples sequenced by the Philippine Genome Center from Dec. 14 to 15, 23 were classified as BA.2.3.20, one was classified BF.7, 28 were classified as XBB, 45 as XBC, and 24 as other Omicron subvariants.
The additional BF.7 case came from Metro Manila, the DOH reported.
In a statement, the DOH said BF.7 cases are being reported under Omicron BA.5.
BF.7, which is a sublineage of the BA.5, is said to be driving the current surge of COVID-19 infections in China.
The subvariant is classified by the European Centers for Disease Control as “variant under monitoring.” -ag
