Image of the coronavirus / INQUIRER.net Stock Photo
MANILA, Philippines — There has been no reported case of XBB 1.5 subvariant of COVID-19 in the country yet, said the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday.
The DOH said this as it assured the public that the government continues to implement its COVID-19 surveillance measures, ensuring it remains confident “in detecting potential variants that may enter the country.”
“To date, there are currently no cases of XBB 1.5 detected in the country,” said the DOH in an advisory.
It, however, reminded the public to continue employing layers of protection — such as sanitation, masking, distancing, vaccination and boosters, and good ventilation — against COVID-19 as COVID-19 variants will continue to emerge and re-emerge.
The XBB 1.5 is a recombinant of the BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75 sub lineages and is known to have spread at an alarming rate in the US with its high ability to evade immunity.
RELATED STORIES:
New Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 detected in South Korea
Philippines detects 81 COVID-19 cases of new XBB Omicron subvariant – DOH
New Omicron strain BQ.1 now in PH