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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOH monitoring 'Omicron XE' detected in Thailand; in constant coordination with WHO

DOH monitoring 'Omicron XE' detected in Thailand; in constant coordination with WHO

Published Apr 4, 2022 03:29 pm

After detection of a new variant of Omicron called "XE", the Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday, April 4, that it is coordinating with the World Health Organization (WHO) should any developments regarding it come out.

Omicron variant of COVID-19

"Observation and monitoring are still ongoing on whether the variant would be categorized as a sub-variant of Omicron or a new variant to be named by WHO should it display any significant change in characteristics," DOH said in a statement.

DOH said Omicron XE was detected in Bangkok, Thailand.

The health agency, with the assistance of the Philippine Genome Center (PGC), said that it is continuously monitoring case trends and conducting genomic surveillance activities amidst the threat of new and existing variants.

"We continue to implement our 4-door strategy to prevent initial entry of the variant to the country," DOH stated.

The agency reminded the public that vaccines, in addition to adhering to the minimum public health standards and now more importantly, everyone, especially our elderly, the immunocompromised, those with comorbidities, and children are highly encouraged to get vaccinated and boosted.

A DOH official stated last month that the government is more prepared to confront future contagions and that the health sector learned a lot in terms of response.

"Alam na ho natin kung paano ho i-prepare natin sarili natin sa next pandemic (We know now how to prepare ourselves for the next pandemic)," DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said in a Laging Handa public briefing last month.

Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire explained in a press briefing last week that the country can no longer close or open the borders whenever there is a surge in other parts of the world. She said that the government must be able rely on the strategies implemented to protect the population.

Opening of borders, according to her, does not equate to having no safeguards to detect any variants or Covid-19 infected passengers. She made the statement following a question regarding the spike of Covd-19 cases being experienced in other parts of the world.

Related Tags

omicron xe Department of Health (DOH) WHO Omicron health undersecretary maria rosario vergeire world health organization World Health Organization (WHO) OMICRON VARIANT doh
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