New SARS-CoV-2 variant ‘as deadly as Delta’ not likely in next 3 months—expert

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MANILA, Philippines — A new SARS-CoV-2 variant “as deadly as Delta” may not occur in the next three months, an infectious disease expert advising the government on vaccination said Tuesday.

However, Dr. Rontgene Solante warned that another variant of concern might eventually emerge.

“There is still a possibility that another variant of concern may emerge, but the likelihood of a variant of concern as deadly as Delta may not be has a remote possibility that it will occur in the next three months because mayroon pa tayong (because we still have) protection against Omicron,” Solante, chief of the Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Unit at the government-run San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.

Solante said that everyone should be vaccinated against COVID-19 to prevent the emergence of a heavily mutated variant of concern. Earlier, the Vaccine Expert Panel member explained that coronavirus mutation might only happen among the unvaccinated and immunocompromised individuals.

READ: Expert’s warning: Coronavirus mutation can only happen among unvaccinated, immunocompromised

Solante said those infected during the surge of Omicron cases might also benefit from a “temporary immunity.”

“Sa dami ng nagka-infection, mayroon tayong temporary immunity because of that antibody. Pero ganoon pa man, kailangan pa rin magpabakuna para mas durable ang pagtagal ng immunity natin,” he added.

(Because of the high number of infections, we have temporary immunity from that antibody. But we should still be vaccinated so that our immunity will be more durable.)

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