Swab samples of 8 Covid-19 positive Filipinos from China sent to PGC for sequencing–DOH

The swab samples of eight Filipino travelers from China who tested positive for Covid-19 will be subjected to whole genome sequencing in order to check what variant of Covid-19 virus they have contracted.

"All of the samples were already sent for sequencing yesterday, with the expected release of results by next week," the DOH said in a statement on Thursday, Jan. 5.

"The samples were sent to PGC (Philippine Genome Center)," it added.

The Health department said that contact tracing efforts is also underway.

"At present, the DOH is still coordinating with BOQ (Bureau of Quarantine) on the contact tracing status of the passengers," it said.

On Jan. 4, the DOH reported that eight unvaccinated Filipinos, who came in the Philippines from China on Dec. 27, 2022 to Jan. 2, 2023, tested positive for Covid-19.

The Philippines is currently on "heightened alert" amid the current surge of Covid-19 cases in China. The World Health Organization (WHO) also recently raised its concern on China’s Covid-19 situation.