DOH in talks with WHO after reported ‘Omicron XE’ case in Thailand

A logo is pictured on the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 22, 2017. (REUTERS/Denis Balibouse)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health is in talks with the World Health Organization after Thailand recorded its first case of the “Omicron XE,” a variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The health agency said that monitoring is underway to determine if the variant would be categorized as an Omicron subvariant or a new variant.

“The Department of Health (DOH) is in constant coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the reported ‘Omicron XE‘ detected in Bangkok, Thailand,” the DOH said in a statement.

“Observation and monitoring are still ongoing on whether the variant would be categorized as a sub-variant of Omicron or a new variant to be named by WHO should it display any significant change in characteristics,” it added.

The DOH gave assurance that it, along with the Philippine Genome Center, is monitoring case trends and conducting genomic surveillance activities amid the threat of COVID-19 variants.

The health department said that the government continues to implement the four-door strategy to prevent the entry of the variant.

It further urged the public anew to get a COVID-19 vaccination and booster if eligible and comply with minimum public health standards.

The WHO estimated that the Omicron XE is 10 percent more infectious than the BA.2. The severity of the new variant is still being investigated.

EDV