Philippines detects third case of Omicron coronavirus variant

FILE PHOTO: Colorized scanning electron micrograph of an apoptotic cell (greenish brown) heavily infected with SARS-COV-2 virus particles (pink), also known as novel coronavirus, isolated from a patient sample. Image captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH/Handout via REUTERS.

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday disclosed recording a third case of the Omicron coronavirus variant in the Philippines – a returning overseas Filipino who already tested negative for COVID-19 on December 19.

DOH Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said the third case is a 36-year old returning overseas Filipino from Qatar who arrived at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport on November 28.

Vergeire said the third case had his COVID-19 sample collected on December 4, yielding a positive result on December 5.

“The case completed his isolation in Cebu before traveling back to Cavite, his hometown, where he immediately self quarantined upon arrival. The case is currently finishing his home quarantine in Cavite and has remained asymptomatic since his arrival,” Vergeire said.

Vergeire said the third case tested negative for the dreaded virus on a repeat test on December 19.

“The DOH is already determining the possible close contacts among co-passengers during the flights of this case, the DOH is also verifying the test results and health status of all passengers of this flight if there are other confirmed cases or passengers who became symptomatic after arrival,” Vergeire said.

KGA