The Department of Health (DOH) said that six passengers from India, who arrived in the Philippines before the imposition of the travel ban, have tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the swab samples of the six travelers were forwarded to the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) to determine if there is a presence of the B.1.617 variant ----which was first detected in India.

Vergeire said that more than 100 passengers from India arrived in the Philippines before the travel ban was imposed on April 29. The travel ban will be until May 14.

“As to these Indian travelers that were quarantined upon arrival here before the restrictions were imposed, 110 po sa kanila ay nagkaroon na ng pagsusuri or pagte-test (of them already underwent testing). Anim (Six of them) turned out to be positive and it is now submitted to the Philippine Genome Center for whole genome sequencing,” said Vergeire in a press briefing.

The Health official said that they are still locating the whereabouts of six other passengers.

To note, the Philippines has not yet detected the presence of the B.1.617 variant. The World Health Organization (WHO) characterized the B.1.617 variant as a “variant of interest” which may be “associated with increased transmissibility.”

Vergeire said that they are hoping that the Philippines can prevent the entry of the new coronavirus variant.

“That’s the hope that we can prevent the entry of specific variants into the country. Ayun din ang objective natin nung nag restrict tayo ng ating borders for the UK (United Kingdon) variant. Kailangan lang natin paigtingin ang border control, na kahit man makapasok sila---itong mga variants na ito, dapat handa tayo (That was also our objective when we restricted our borders for the UK variant. We just need to tighten our border control, so that even if it enters the country, we must be ready),” she said.

“Kailangan lang paalalahanan ang ating mga kababayan na kahit ano pa hong variant ang meron dito sa ating bansa at makapasok sa ating bansa, kailangan lagi po tayong protektado (We just need to remind our countrymen that no matter what variant there is in our country, we must always be protected). Continue on doing the minimum public health standards because that will protect you from these variants,” she added.

So far, the Philippines has detected 948 cases of B.1.1.7 variant first found in the United Kingdom; 1,075 cases of B.1.351 variant which was first detected in South Africa; two cases of P.1 variant first found in Brazil; and 157 cases of P.3 variant that was first found here.