DOH logs 5 new cases of Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1 in Western Visayas

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday confirmed five new mild cases of the Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1 in Western Visayas.

“Dito sa limang ito, dalawa ang fully vaccinated locals from the same household at tatlo ang fully vaccinated returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs), coming with a travel history from the United States [and] also residing in the same household,” Health Promotion and Communication Service Director Dr. Beverly Ho said in a virtual media forum.

(Among these five, two are fully vaccinated locals from the same household, while the other three are fully vaccinated returning overseas Filipinos with a travel history from the United States [and] also residing in the same household.)

The health department, however, assured that all newly reported infections were asymptomatic and have since recovered after completing their home isolation.

Ho added that the patients had seven close contacts, two from the local cases and five from the ROFs, who have likewise been tagged as recovered.

In the country, a total of 22 Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1 infections were recorded by DOH as of Tuesday. Eighteen of the cases were locally acquired — 12 from Puerto Princesa City, 4 from Western Visayas, and two from the National Capital Region — while the four others were ROFs residing in Western Visayas.

While the emergence of new COVID-19 sublineages is not visibly related to the recent uptick in logged infections, DOH stressed anew the importance of complying with the minimum public health standards and availing of both primary and booster doses of the vaccine.

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