Omicron variant has ‘high chance’ of entering PH — DOH

MANILA, Philippines — The Omicron COVID-19 variant has a “high chance” of entering the Philippines, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Saturday.

During the Laging Hand briefing, Vergeire reiterated that the entry of Omicron, first detected in South Africa, is inevitable.

“Unang-una, alam naman po natin na from the start, sinabi na natin hindi naman po natin masasabi at hindi natin sasabihin definitely na hindi makakapasok. Ang pinag-uusapan natin ‘yan ay kung kailan, as to when it can enter the country,” Vergeire explained.

(First, we know that from the start, we said that we cannot tell that it will not definitely enter. What we’re talking about is when it can enter the country.)

To delay the variant’s entry, the government is tightening its border response and monitoring of countries, the health official said.

She added that if the foreign nations qualify under the metrics for a ‘red’ list country, the government will include them in the travel ban except those included in the repatriation.

Vergeire noted that Omicron is highly likely to enter the country.

“So, the chances are there. Mataas po ang tsansa na maaring makapasok dito sa atin at tayo naman po ay nagpe-prepare,” she said.

(There is a high chance that it will enter the country and we are preparing for it.)

Vergeire reminded Filipinos to continue adhering to health protocols and get a COVID-19 vaccine as these are effective from contracting the coronavirus’ variants.

“So, gusto lang ho natin ipaalala sa ating mga kababayan, ano man pong variant ang pumasok, ‘yun pong ginagawa po nating compliance sa safety protocols—pagma-mask, pag-iiwas sa matataong lugar, palagiang paghuhugas ng kamay, at pagbabakuna—ay effective pa rin po laban sa mga variants na ‘yan,” the undersecretary advised.

(We want to remind our fellow Filipinos, whatever variant would enter, our compliance with safety protocols—wearing a mask, avoiding crowded places, hand sanitation, and vaccination—are still effective against variants.)

To date, no Omicron variant is detected in the Philippines, Vergeire assured.

She pointed out that the sequencing of a traveler’s sample from South Africa showed that it is positive of a lineage but it is not Omicron and not a variant of concern.

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JPV