Omicron subvariant BF.7 detected
The Department of Health on Friday confirmed the detection of Omicron BF.7 subvariant cases in the country, a BA.5 sublineage which is said to be the cause of the spike in Covid-19 cases in China.
“As of the current date, only four BF.7 cases have been detected in the country,” the Health Department told reporters in a Viber message.
Based on the latest bio-surveillance report, out of the 133 samples sequenced by the UP-PGC last 14 to 15 December, one is classified as BF.7 in the National Capital Region.
Locally, Covid-19 cases are at a plateau with 973 average daily cases over the past week, according to the DoH.
The Health Department said the Omicron subvariant BF.7 is a BA.5 sublineage which was initially flagged by the researchers due to its potential to be more transmissible than the wild type BA.5 and immune evading properties.
However, the agency noted that currently available evidence for BF.7 does not suggest any differences in disease severity and/or clinical manifestations compared to the original Omicron variant.
“Currently, the subvariant is still reported under BA.5 by the World Health Organization and will remain classified under Omicron until sufficient evidence arises showing that the virus characteristics are significantly different from Omicron,” the DoH said.
The DoH underscored that instead of focusing on the presence of a transmissible variant, the public should put more emphasis on other factors such as wearing best-fitting face masks, isolating when sick, doubling-up protection via vaccines and boosters, and ensuring good airflow because these are the measures that we can address and control.
“If such factors will be adhered to and implemented by ourselves immediately, the decline in cases may be observed sooner,” it added.
‘Very concerned’
Earlier this week, the World Health Organization said it is “very concerned” regarding the Covid-19 situation in China, following reports of a surge in infections in the said country.
“WHO is very concerned over the evolving situation in China with increasing reports of severe disease,” WHO chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a news briefing.
Ghebreyesus said to make a comprehensive risk assessment of the situation on the ground, the WHO needs more detailed information on disease severity, hospital admissions, and requirements for ICU support.
Aside from China, the Omicron BF.7 has also been detected in India, the United States, and Europe.
‘Plateauing cases’
‘Moreover, severe and critical admissions made up 10.57% of total COVID-19 related admissions, including those in the emergency room’
Locally, Covid-19 cases are at a plateau with 973 average daily cases over the past week, according to the DoH.
The figure is 5 percent lower compared to the reported cases last week.
The Health Department said the Omicron subvariant BF.7 is a BA.5 sublineage which was initially flagged by the researchers due to its potential to be more transmissible than the wild type BA.5 and immune evading properties.
The Health Department also noted that as of 21 December, the country recorded a 21.73 percent utilization rate of total available Covid-19 beds.
“Moreover, severe and critical admissions made up 10.57 percent of total Covid-19 related admissions, including those in the emergency room,” it added.
According to its latest projection, the Health Department said the daily cases in the country may reach 4,114 by 15 January due to an expected increase in mobility.
“In this scenario, severe and critical admissions are expected to reach 2,252 admissions by mid-January as well,” it said.