XBF variant will not lead a spike of COVID-19 cases – expert

Christian Franco avails of swab test for Covid-19, a requirement for his job application, at the Pagamutan ng Dasmariñas compound in Cavite on Friday (Jan. 28, 2022). The test is free for active members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday to Saturday. (PNA photo by Gil Calinga)

Infectious Diseases Expert Dr. Edsel Salvana on Thursday, Feb. 16, said the recent detection of Omicron variant XBF in the country will not lead to a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases.

“It has na potential na mas nakakahawa siya at mas nakakaiwas sa mga bakuna, pero preliminary itong mga datos na ito, kaya inoobserbahan muna sa ngayon,” he said at the Laging Handa briefing.

“Because mataas naman ang antas ng ating pagbabakuna, hopefully hindi naman natin ina-anticipate na biglang sisipa ‘yung cases natin,” he added.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), the first case of XBF variant is a Filipino senior citizen with no known travel history.

The patient had seen mild symptoms and was declared recovered.

The DOH said XBF is a recombinant sublineage of Omicrons BA.5 and BA2.75 that has been linked with the recent uptick of cases in Australia and Sweden.

The XBF variant is currently classified as a variant under monitoring by the World Health Organization. 

Meanwhile, the DOH confirmed two more omicron XBB.1.5 cases.

It previously stated that the first case had no history of international travel.

“Pag nakaka-detect tayo ng walang travel history, it’s possible na mayroon nang nangyayaring local transmission, pero we have to detect more cases para sabihin natin na sustained yung local transmission. At this time, yung panganib naman ay nananatiling mababa,” he added.

The DOH  sait it continues to monitor emerging diseases including the Marburg virus that has already spread in Equatorial Guinea.

Salvana said minimum health protocols and border control are effective in preventing the spread of the Marburg virus. –With report from Mark Fetalco/KC-ag

Popular

PBBM underscores public cooperation as key to better disaster response

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reiterated his call on the citizenry to remain on constant alert and exercise vigilant measures at...

PBBM lauds eGov app’s impact on Filipinos, hints at upcoming features

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recognized the indispensable role of the eGov app in fast-tracking and streamlining the digitalization of government transactions and services,...

What’s next for the Marcos admin? Key agencies tackle food security, economic dev’t post-SONA 2025

https://www.youtube.com/live/hXRnysWZ6SM?si=GGc-0MxxrP1SXsvE By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reported the situation of the country—along with his administration’s progress, gains, and challenges in the past...

PBBM lauds improvements in PH labor market

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. praised the wide-ranging achievements made by his administration on bolstering the country’s domestic labor market over...