The Department of Health (DOH) said they have not yet recorded any significant rise in Covid-19 cases in the country following the detection of Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1.

“Gusto ko lang sabihin sa ating mga kababayan in spite of this detection which was detected pa mga third or fourth week of April, wala naman po tayong nakikitang significant na pagtaas ng kaso (I just want to tell our citizens that in spite of this detection—which was detected in the third or fourth week of April, we have not seen a significant increase in cases) in any area even here in NCR ,” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Saturday, May 14.

“Meron po tayo kaunti pero these are two to 30 cases at ang pinaka importante, kailangan malaman ng kababayan natin, (We have monitored some cases but these are just two to 30 cases. But what is important for our citizens to know is that) this has not yet translated into an increased admission in our hospitals,” she added.

Once they see a relatively high number of new cases, the DOH will then to decide if there is a need to raise the alert level in a certain area.

In a related development, the DOH said that the circulating reports on social media platforms about the implementation of general community quarantine (GCQ) in Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Rizal, and Metro Manila from May 14 to 31 is fake.

“This announcement is fake. The government no longer uses quarantine labels such as “GCQ,” in favor of the Alert Level system. No escalations in Alert Levels have been announced as of this date,” the DOH said in an advisory.

“DOH urges everyone to always check its official channels on the internet and social media for the latest authentic updates. Let us think before we click,” it added.

The state health agency said that instead of spreading false and unverified information, it asked the public to continue following the health protocols to prevent further transmission of Covid-19.