Vaccine expert says Indian variant of COVID-19 is quick to spread, but is not more severe

By Pearl Gumapos

Department of Health vaccine expert Dr. Lulu Bravo said that the Indian COVID-19 variant may be quick to infect people, but it does not mean that it’s more dangerous or severe during an interview on May 10 with PTV News.

“Meron mga variant na mas mabilis makahawa dahil mas mabilis kumapit sa mga tao, but that doesn’t mean na mas delikado o mas severe. Karamihan ay pareho lang naman ang severity. Iyon lang pagkahawa ang mabilis talaga,” Bravo said, who is also the executive director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV).

Bravo said the solution to the health issue was a lockdown.

Meanwhile, Bravo advised future electoral candidates and the COMELEC to not hold mass gatherings for the upcoming election next year.

“Kung mahal nila ang ating bayan, kung mahal nila ang ating mga kapwa Pilipino, kung mahal nila ang kaligtasan at kalusugan natin, huwag naman sila magkaroon ng ganyang [gathering]. Kawawa ang ating bayan.”

This variant – officially known as B.1.617 – was first detected in India in October 2020.

-PG-rir

Popular

PBBM inaugurates P1B irrigation project in Leyte

By Sarwell Meniano | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos led the inauguration of the P1.1 billion Hibulangan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) in...

PBBM brings aid to Eastern Visayas, advances whole-of-gov’t approach

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday led the rollout of government assistance and development initiatives in...

PBBM: Stronger cooperation with LGUs key to reducing crime

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has emphasized the importance of stronger cooperation between the national and local...

PBBM summons French, Czech envoys over Zaldy Co’s status

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed disappointment over the release of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co in the Czech Republic. According...