The Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed the detection of the Philippines' first cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant, involving two travelers who recently arrived in the country.
"The Department of Health, the University of the Philippines - Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC), and the University of the Philippines - National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) report that two imported cases of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of concern were detected from the 48 samples sequenced yesterday, Dec. 14, 2021," the DOH said in a statement on Wednesday, Dec. 15.
"The two Omicron variant cases are incoming travelers and are currently isolated in a facility managed by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ)," it added.
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Of the two Omicron cases, one was a returning overseas Filipino (ROF) who arrived from Japan on Dec. 1, 2021 via Philippine Airlines flight number PR 0427, the DOH said, adding that his specimen sample was collected last Dec. 5.
"His positive result was released on Dec. 7 and the case was admitted in an isolation facility on the same date. He is currently asymptomatic but had symptoms of colds and cough upon arrival," the DOH noted.
The other case was a Nigerian national who arrived from Nigeria on Nov. 30, 2021 via Oman Air with flight number WY 843, the DOH said.
"A sample was collected on Dec. 6, 2021 and the result released on Dec. 7, 2021. He was then admitted to an isolation facility on the same date. His current status is also asymptomatic," the DOH said.
The DOH said it is currently "determining possible close contacts among co-passengers during the flights of these two cases."
"The DOH is verifying the test results and health status of all passengers of these flights to determine if there are other confirmed cases or passengers who became symptomatic after arrival," it said.
The agency called on passengers who boarded the said flights to call the DOH COVID-19 Hotlines at (02) 8942 6843 or 1555, or their respective local government units (LGUs) to report their status.
“With the detection of the imported cases of Omicron variant, the Department also urges everyone to adhere to the minimum public standards and properly wear face masks, frequently wash hands with soap and water or alcohol, observe physical distancing, ensure proper ventilation, and avoid crowded areas,” the DOH said.
“Moreover, this holiday season, the public should avoid holding mass gatherings to curb the transmission of COVID-19. The DOH also urges those unvaccinated to get vaccinated during the National Vaccination Days to receive the additional protection that vaccines provide against COVID-19,” it added.
More Delta cases
Of the 48 samples that were sequenced, the DOH also reported that 33 were found positive for the Delta variant while the 13 others “had no lineage assigned.”
Of the additional 33 Delta variant cases, the DOH said 14 were ROFs, while the 19 others were local cases. The total number of confirmed Delta variant cases in the Philippines stood at 7,919.
The 19 local cases were tested in the following regions: three each from Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Caraga, and Soccsksargen; two from Western Visayas, and one each from the Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Eastern Visayas, and Davao Region, the DOH said.
“The Department is closely working with local government units for them to conduct active case finding and ensure that COVID-19 cases are immediately isolated, tested and contact traced, and that eligible samples for sequencing are submitted,” the DOH said.