DOH logs 18 cases of JN.1 COVID-19 variant in PH
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MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday said it has already detected 18 cases of the JN.1 variant of COVID-19 in the country.
According to the DOH in a statement, the cases were detected through genome sequencing with the earliest sample collected November 16 and the most recent on December 3.
“There has been no significant increase in the number or severity of cases overall,” said the DOH in a statement.
“Furthermore, all the JN.1 cases have recovered,” it added.
The JN.1 variant was recently classified by the World Health Organization as a “variant of interest,” but the DOH noted that there is still no evidence of increased severity in the variant.
“It is another Omicron subvariant with no evidence of increased severity or unusual clinical presentation,” said the DOH.
“There is also no evidence that it spreads faster,” it added.
The DOH explained that the variant was classified as “of interest” as it still needs to be closely observed and studied by epidemiologists and researchers worldwide.
DOH urges public to mask up
With this, the DOH then called on the public to utilize multiple layers of protection — including the use of face masks, ensuring good airflow and adequate ventilation, covering coughs, vaccination — especially among our high risk and vulnerable groups.
“Doing so will help avoid an increase in influenza-like and other respiratory illnesses due to all the gatherings,” said the DOH.
It then assured the public that it is closely monitoring all health concerns amid the holiday season.
