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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Surveillance, border control 'working', expert says as PH detects first cases of Omicron variant

Surveillance, border control 'working', expert says as PH detects first cases of Omicron variant

Published Dec 15, 2021 02:49 pm

Surveillance and border control in the country is "working," an expert said Wednesday, Dec. 15, as the Philippines detected two imported cases of the Omicron coronavirus disease (COVID-19) variant.

(ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN)

The two Omicron variant cases, detected from 48 samples sequenced on Dec. 14, were currently in isolation, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

"Surveillance and border control is working. Both travelers were in quarantine when they tested positive and were isolated in accordance with health protocols," Dr. Edsel Salvana, a member of the DOH Technical Advisory Group, wrote on Facebook.

Salvana said contact tracing among the co-passengers and crew started after the two individuals' results came back positive.

"With the detection of Omicron, these passengers will get an additional layer of enhanced contact tracing," the expert said.

"Genomic surveillance is doing what it is intended to do. With Delta, there was a 2-month delay in entry into the community from the time it was first detected in returning seafarers. Strict border control works," Salvana added.

He also urged the public to wear face shields as "extra layer of protection" especially indoors and in crowded spaces.

"Our protocols work when everyone follows them. In the meantime, we vaccinate as many people as we can, and stick to our public health standards. Avoid high-risk situations like mass gatherings, and wear either a double cloth mask or a medical-grade mask," Salvana stressed.

The country will remain under Alert Level 2 until Dec. 31.

Related Tags

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