Facade of the DOH main office in Manila. INQUIRER.net file photo / Consuelo Marquez
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday said it has yet to determine whether there is community transmission of the more contagious coronavirus disease variant despite recording eight more cases of the B.1.1.7 variant.
“We do not have strong evidence yet to conclude that there is community transmission. We continue to closely coordinate with the LGUs [local government units] of CAR [Cordillera Administrative Region] in addressing the situation,” said DOH Media Team, replying to a reporter’s Viber inquiry about mass transmission of the B.1.1.7. variant cases in the country.
The nation’s health department on Friday said the total number of B.1.1.7 carriers increased to 25, with eight new cases, mostly reported from Bontoc, Mountain Province.
Previously, Philippine health authorities also said it is premature to declare that there is community transmission of the variant, which is believed to be 70 percent more infectious, as they wait for results from their investigation.