Bontoc LGU says UK variant of coronavirus has infected 12 residents

The Bontoc LGU established a checkpoint at Amlosong, Bontoc, Mountain Province, manned by members of the Municipal Inter-Agency Task Force and the members of the Bontoc Emergency and Response Team (BERT). This is to monitor the entry of individuals in consonance with Executive Order No. 01, Series of 2021, imposing Cultural Lockdown (Tengaw) in Barangays Bontoc Ili, Caluttit, Samoki, and Poblacion, all in the Municipality of Bontoc. The Cultural Lockdown is in effect from 12:01 A.M of January 9, 2021, until 12:01 A.M. of January 12, 2021. Image from the Municipality of Bontoc Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — The local government unit of Bontoc in Mountain Province announced on Friday that the COVID-19 variant from the United Kingdom (UK) has already reached their municipality.

In a statement posted on the official Facebook page of Bontoc, the city said that 12 of the 35 COVID-19 specimens from patients with active cases was confirmed to be the more infectious UK variant.

“Twelve out of 35 specimens from COVID-19 positive cases in this capital town have been confirmed to be of the UK variant,” the local government said.

“The Bontoc LGU urges everyone to intensify adherence to basic health protocols. Lockdown is still in effect.  Rest assured that the LGU is doing its best to help deter further spread,” it added.

https://www.facebook.com/821452187882500/posts/4137530666274619/?d=n

The municipal government in its Facebook post did not clarify how the UK variant has reached the mountaintop town, but it gave assurance that it will update people about possible intensified measures due to these developments.

“We will update you as soon as possible as to intensified measures that the MIATF would be undertaking. Official statements and updates shall be released by DOH, PLGU and MLGU,” Bontoc’s LGU said.

“Let us cooperate and let us keep safe. Let us all be part of the solution. Together, we shall overcome,” it added.

Image from the Municipality of Bontoc Facebook page

Prior to this, the UK variant was only located in the close contacts of a businessman from Quezon City who was the first confirmed UK variant carrier in the country.  As of Wednesday, 13 of the businessman’s close contacts are infected with the coronavirus.

The samples of the positive patients had been sent to the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) for sequencing to determine if they also have the UK variant.