Omicron subvariant BN.1 detected in PH— DOH

(Updated 4:18 p.m. to add that the initial BN1 case was a Filipino returning from Kuwait, while the second case was a local resident.)

MANILA, Philippines — The Omicron subvariant BN.1 has been detected in the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) said in data published on Friday.

The genome sequencing of the Philippine Genome Center from December 19-22 yielded two new cases of the subvariant.

The first BN.1 case was a returning overseas Filipino from Kuwait, while the second was a local one. Both have already recovered.

The BN.1, a sub-lineage of the BA.2.75 Omicron sub-variant, is classified by the  European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control as a variant under monitoring.

But the World Health Organization still reports the variant under BA.2.75, according to DOH.

The DOH added that it will remain classified under Omicron “until sufficient evidence arises showing that the virus characteristics are significantly different from Omicron.”

As of Thursday,  the Philippines reported 4,063,316 cases of COVID-19, including 13,825 active cases, 3,984,159 recoveries and 65,332 deaths, according to DOH’s new coronavirus case tracker.

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