DOH detects Omicron BA.4 subvariant in PH

FILE PHOTO: A computer image created by Nexu Science Communication together with Trinity College in Dublin, shows a model structurally representative of a betacoronavirus which is the type of virus linked to COVID-19, shared with Reuters on February 18, 2020. NEXU Science Communication/via REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday announced that the country has reported its first case of COVID-19 Omicron sub variant BA.4, which is tagged as a “variant of concern.”

In a statement, the DOH said the agency has detected Omicron-BA.4 “from a Filipino citizen who flew in from the Middle East last May 4, 2022.”

“His positive test result for the subvariant was from a specimen collected on May 8. He was asymptomatic,” the Health agency added.

DOH noted that the BA.4 is considered by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control as a variant of concern, saying the subvariant’s “faster transmission is likely because of its ability to evade immune protection induced by prior infection and/or vaccination, particularly if this has waned over time.”

“While the ECDC has not observed any change in severity for BA.4 compared to other Omicron subvariants, we must be careful because faster transmission will lead to a spike in cases that could overwhelm our hospitals and clinics,” the Health Department furthered.

It can be recalled that the DOH said they also detected a local transmission of the highly transmissible  Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1.

As of Saturday, the Philippines recorded a total of 3,688,508 cases of the new coronavirus, including 2,119 active cases, 3,625,934 recoveries and 60,455 deaths, according to DOH.

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