A vaccine expert on Sunday (May 16) warned the public about being complacent due to the decrease of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Department of Science and Technology vaccine expert Dr. Rontgene Solante, in an interview with PTV, issued a warning to the public to take extra care following the presence of the Indian COVID-19 variant.
“Unang-una, doble ingat na tayo ngayon kasi ang daming variant na pumapasok sa atin. Nandito na ‘yung B.1.1.7, B,1.351, at lately itong Indian variant [B.1.617],” Solante said.
Solante said if the spread of B.1.617 is not contained, it could result in a surge of severe COVID-19 cases.
The Department of Health on Saturday detected 10 more cases of the Indian variant, hiking up the number of total cases in the Philippines to 12.
“‘Yung mutation na ‘yan ay mas napapabilis ‘yung pagkapit niya sa tao. Ito ‘yung mga mutations na kinakatakutan natin, dahil pag ito ang pumapasok sa tao, yung mutation na ito na virus ay pwede ring maapektuhan ang efficacy ng bakuna at efficacy ng mga treatment, at talagang maski meron ka nang antibody na na-develop, pwede pa rin ma-reinfect ‘yon,” he said.
“Wala pa tayong malaking pag aaral sa mga bakunang ito at dito sa variant. Ang alam lang natin ay ‘yung isang bakuna like ‘yung Pfizer na tine-testing ay talagang naapektuhan ang efficacy niya. Nabawasan,” Solente said.
Solante added that obedience to health protocols should still continue as it will serve as a deterrent so that the variant would not spread. – Report from Louisa Erispe/PG-jlo
