Health experts are still looking into the characteristics of P.3---the new coronavirus variant that was first found in the Philippines.
The Department of Health (DOH) said that the P.3 is not yet considered as a “variant of concern.”
In an article from Forbes last March 18, it said the P.3 variant “bears a resemblance to the recently discovered Japanese variant (B.1.1.248) and the infamous Brazilian variant (P.1), known for its dangerous immune-escape capabilities.”
It added that the “B.1.1.248 and the Philippine Variant (P.3) seem to be second and third-generation descendants of P.1.”
However, further studies were needed surrounding this new variant, the DOH said.
“We recognize the potential of this mutant to be immune escape and as it is with other variants under investigation and mutations of potential clinical significance, we continue to investigate,” the DOH said in a statement on Sunday, March 28.
World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe said “the P3 variant is an interesting variant and it merits some study.”
“We are supporting the (Philippine) government in its effort to understand what are the effects of P.3 variant. This is new and we are trying to understand this. At this time, we don't see any associated increased transmissibility, any increased severity in disease in people who have been carrying the P.3 variant,” he said in a press briefing on March 19.
Abeyasinghe said that it will take several months to gather information surrounding a new variant, citing as an example the B.1.1.7 variant that was first detected in the United Kingdom.
“I want to remind you that the B.1.1.7 variant was detected in September last year and now we have some information, so that gives you an idea of how much time it takes to understand these variants and we're still not clear even about increased transmissibility or severity of disease caused by B.1.1.7,” he said.
“So these could take several months---but rest assured that we are doing everything in our capacities here in WHO to understand what it means to have a P.3 variant in the Philippines,” he said.