The Department of Health (DOH) announced the detection of three local cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant in the Philippines.
The DOH said that two of the local cases were from the Bicol region, while the other was from Metro Manila.
“The first local case is a 42-year-old male from NCR (National Capital Region) who tested positive on Dec. 3 and was tagged as recovered on Dec. 17,” the DOH said in a statement on Friday, Dec. 31.
“The second local case is a 27-year-old female from Bicol Region who tested positive on Dec. 14. Meanwhile, the third local case is a 46-year-old female from Bicol Region who tested positive on Dec. 15. All cases have been tagged as recovered,” it added.
Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (RESUs) of the DOH are now investigating these local cases and “tracing all their possible close contacts.”
“The DOH said that while more definitive data is needed, the epidemiological investigation on the local cases indicates there is a high possibility of local transmission,” it said.
“With the detection of local cases of Omicron, the DOH sternly warns the public against disregarding our minimum public health standards (MPHS) and testing and isolation or quarantine protocols,” it added.
More imported cases
Meanwhile, the DOH also announced seven imported cases of Omicron variant. These include six returning overseas Filipinos and one Malaysian national. The DOH also noted that the “husband of the fourth Omicron case previously announced is among these seven cases.”
“Three of the cases arrived from the United States via Philippine Airlines flight numbers PR 127 on Dec. 16 and PR 103 on Dec. 15. Meanwhile, two arrived from the United Kingdom via the connecting flights of Singapore Airlines flight SQ 910 on Dec. 15 and Emirates Airlines flight EK 332 on Dec. 9,” the DOH noted.
“Another case arrived from the United Arab Emirates through Philippine Airlines flight 659 on Dec. 19, and the last imported case arrived from Ghana through the connecting flight of Qatar Airways flight number QR 930 on Dec. 14,” it added.
The agency said it is “currently verifying the test results and health status of all co-passengers to determine if there are other confirmed cases or passengers who became symptomatic after arrival.”
The DOH urged travelers who have arrived in the Philippines through said flights to contact the agency’s COVID-19 Hotlines at (02) 8942 6843 or 1555, or their respective local government units (LGUs) to report their health status.
In total, the Philippines has now 14 confirmed cases of Omicron variant—11 imported and three were local cases.
“We continue to remind LGUs to conduct active case finding to identify cases and clusters. They may also implement granular lockdowns as needed. LGUs should also prepare isolation facilities for individuals who cannot do home quarantine or isolation,” said DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III.
“Lastly, increase vaccination coverage among the high-risk groups such as senior citizens and those with underlying conditions to reduce hospitalization and deaths due to COVID-19,” he added.
The DOH is set to provide “further information regarding these cases” during a press conference scheduled on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.