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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOH waiting for WHO's official announcement about new coronavirus variant found in S. Africa

DOH waiting for WHO's official announcement about new coronavirus variant found in S. Africa

Published Nov 26, 2021 03:25 pm

MB/ FILE PHOTO

The Department of Health (DOH) said it is still waiting for the official pronouncement of the World Health Organization (WHO) with regards to the characteristics of the new coronavirus variant detected in South Africa.

"Nagpapa-meeting ang WHO ngayong araw. Kakalabas lang ng kanilang advisory and malalaman natin later in the day or tomorrow ang kanilang magiging hatol dito (The WHO is holding a meeting today. They have just released their advisory and we will know later in the day or tomorrow what would be their assessment)," said DOH Health Promotion Bureau Director Dr. Beverly Ho in a television interview on Friday, Nov. 26.

In a Reuters report last Nov. 25, it said that South African scientists expressed concern about this new variant of coronavirus but its implications are "not yet clear."

"The variant - called B.1.1.529 - has a ‘very unusual constellation’ of mutations, which are concerning because they could help it evade the body's immune response and make it more transmissible," reported Reuters.

In a public press briefing on Friday, infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvana reminded the public that adherence to health protocols and vaccination are vital keys to stop the transmission of COVID-19 regardless of the variant.

“One thing is for sure though kahit anong variant pa yan, gumagana pa rin ang paggamit ng masks at ng ating minimum public health standards---at ang ating vaccination. Most likely tuloy-tuloy ang protection against severe disease (One thing is for sure though no matter what the variant is, the use of masks and our minimum public health standards --- and our vaccination still work. Most likely, these will provide continued protection against severe disease),” said Salvana.

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covid-19 Department of Health (DOH) world health organization B.1.1.529
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