DOH logs local transmission of more infectious Omicron
THE Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday confirmed the local transmission of Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1 in the country, but assured the public that response is underway to prevent its spread.
Local government units (LGUS), DOH said, have already intensified the 4-Door Strategy to prevent further transmission of the virus.
In an online media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire also clarified that there is still no detection of “community transmission” of the said subvariant.
Vergeire said that local transmission means local cases have been detected, which cannot be epidemiologically linked to cases with significant international travel history, while community transmission is described as there is already huge or an increasing number of local cases whose links cannot be established anymore.
Three new cases of Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1 were detected in Western Visayas Region.
“Ito pong latest sequencing result, dito po tayo nakapag talaga nitong tatlo nating bago na [in this latest sequencing result, we have recorded three new] subvariant na [of]ba.2.12.1.and we have detected this in Iloilo City,” Vergeire said.
One case, she said, is a returning Overseas Filipino (ROF) who is fully vaccinated, while two others are local cases. One of the two local cases is fully vaccinated, while the vaccination status of the other one is still being verified.
“At present, we have a total of 17 BA.2.12.1 cases: 16 local cases two in the National Capital Region, 12 Puerto Princesa City, two Western Visayas, and 1 ROF currently residing in Western Visayas,” she said.
Intensifying 4-Door strategy
WITH this development, Vergeire said LGUS are now intensifying the 4-Door Strategy to prevent further transmission of the virus-travel restrictions (Door 1) and intensified screening and testing at the border (Door 2) are not strongly considered now because of high vaccination coverage with the primary series and better treatment and management options for all severities of cases. Immediately detecting and isolating cases (Door 3) and strengthening health system capacity to prepare for a potential spike in cases (Door 4) shall be reinforced further.
The DOH said after careful assessment of available data provided by the University of the Philippines -Philippine Genome Center (UPPGC), UP-PGC Visayas, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), and the regional/local epidemiology and surveillance units (R/LESUS), confirmed the local transmission of Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1.
According to the DOH, the most recent evidence indicates that Omicron BA.2.12.1 is highly transmissible due to additional mutations, compared to the original Omicron strain. While this sublineage has so far not been observed to lead to more severe disease or fatality, it has the potential for immune escape.
“Now that we have local transmission of Omicron BA.2.12.1, we must act fast. We are asking our health facilities and local government units to actively look for cases. Immediate isolation is advised for any person who has fever, cough, colds, sore or itchy throat, and other Covid-like signs and symptoms,” Vergeire said.
Testing using RT-PCR, she stressed, is strongly advised during active surveillance as the method also allows for genomic sequencing.
“Large clusters should be prioritized for investigation and contact tracing for cases belonging to these clusters should be conducted,” Vergeire added.
Special vaccination teams are being prepared for immediate deployment to areas where the subvariant has been detected to help provide additional population protection through vaccination and boosters, she added.
Better position
FOR his part, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said, “We are in a better position now to fight back against Covid-19. The DOH, through its Centers for Health Development and the LGUS, is now priming laboratory networks, temporary treatment and monitoring facilities, clinics, and hospitals to be ready.”