Omicron ‘most evolved variant of SARS-CoV-2‘ — PH Genome Center exec | Inquirer News

Omicron ‘most evolved variant of SARS-CoV-2‘ — PH Genome Center exec

/ 01:13 PM January 11, 2022

MANILA, Philippines — Omicron is the most evolved variant of SARS-CoV-2, Philippine Genome Center Executive Director Dr. Cynthia Saloma said on Tuesday.

SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19.

Article continues after this advertisement

“You know, ang virus is always mutating and is always evolving,” Saloma said during the Laging Handa briefing.

FEATURED STORIES

“So far now, the most evolved variant of SARS-CoV-2 that we have is this Omicron variant with so many mutations,” she continued.

Omicron has 50 mutations, according to Tulio de Oliveira, virologist at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa.

Article continues after this advertisement

Meanwhile, the IHU variant, first discovered in France and has 46 mutations, is not spreading so much, Saloma noted.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Of course, we cannot actually be certain na hindi siya pupunta sa atin (that it will not enter the country) but so far in the indications are that IHU variant seems to be localized in France and in fact, even in France it’s not really expanding so much,” she explained.

Article continues after this advertisement

Saloma said that the government should strengthen border controls and urged the public to get vaccinated to prevent further COVID-19 transmission.

“Pa’no natin ma-secure na hindi ito mapunta sa atin (How can we secure that we will not get the virus)? As much as possible, of course, strengthen our border controls and at the same time, individually and collectively, very very important po na magpa-vaccine tayo at saka protected tayo (that we get vaccinated and protected) against all these variants,” she said.

Article continues after this advertisement

The Department of Health on Monday said that there is no detected IHU variant in the country.

On the other hand, the Philippines has 43 Omicron COVID-19 cases.

READ: Omicron has replaced Delta as dominant variant of the COVID-19 virus – Duque

je
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.

TAGS: COVID-19, Omicron, variant

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.