CEBU CITY — Driven by the Omicron variant or not, a surge of new infections is possible, a top official of the Department of Health-Central Visayas (DOH 7) said.
“The possibility of having a surge is real. But is it Omicron-driven? We cannot tell until we do our bio-surveillance. But short of our bio-surveillance, let us treat it as it is driven by the Omicron variant,” said Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, chief pathologist of DOH 7.
Loreche said a surge is possible in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette and the celebration of the Holidays.
Factors that could contribute a surge are the packed evacuation centers with no running water and the absence of isolation facilities that have incurred significant damages during the typhoon.
Loreche said the highly transmissible Omicron variant has not been detected in the region yet but the public should brace for a possible surge, Loreche added.
Loreche said the DOH 7 is sending 37 samples from COVID-19 patients to the Philippine Genome Center.
Two of the samples came from patients who got the infection through local transmission while the remaining 35 were from Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs).
“We are preparing to send 37 samples that (have) qualified for genomic sequencing galing from Central Visayas. Two of these are from the community and 35 are from ROFs. No OFW infected with COVID-19 qualified for genomic sequencing,” said Loreche.
While results are yet to be released for the 37 samples, Loreche urged local government units to further intensify the enforcement of health protocols and their vaccination drives.
Loreche likewise called on unvaccinated individuals to immediately take the vaccine to protect themselves against COVID-19.
“Have yourselves vaccinated. To those who are due for booster shots, get your booster shots already,” Loreche said.
In the January 3 data of DOH 7, Central Visayas only had 531 active cases.
The region is under a relaxed Alert Level 2.