The variants of concerns in the country account for about seven percent of the samples that were taken from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases and subjected for sequencing, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday, March 15.

DOH Epidemiology Bureau Director Dr. Alethea de Guzman said the variants of concerns that have been recorded in the country were the coronavirus variants that were first detected in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil.

“Sa ngayon, ang ating mga variants of concern ay nagko-compose lamang ng halos 7 percent ng lahat ng na-si-sequence nating samples (So far, our variants of concern compose only about 7 percent of all our sequenced samples),” de Guzman said in a press briefing.

“Kung ito ay lalampas sa 7 percent at magiging more than 50 percent, makakakita talaga tayo ng jump hindi lamang siguro three times kundi 28 times (If it goes beyond 7 percent and becomes more than 50 percent, we can actually see a jump not just maybe three times but 28 times),” she added.

With this, the health official underscored the importance of observing the minimum public health standards in containing the new variants and halt its transmission in the community.

De Guzman said that it is easily to blame the new variants for the recent spike of new case in the country.

“Pero kung tutuusin, tayo ay magiging protektado, hindi mae-expose kung tayo ay nagpa-practice ng minimum public health standards. Pero siguro yung kailangan nating i-emphasize, dapat correct and consistent (But in fact, we will be protected, not exposed if we practice minimum public health standards (MPHS). But maybe what we need to emphasize is that it should be correct and consistent),” she said.

“Pagma-mask na dapat nakacover ang bibig at ang ating ilong, at ang pagpapa-alala na ang mga MPHS ay hindi lamang sa public places o di kaya’y sa mga workplaces pero kinakailangan po talaga kahit sa bahay (Face masks should properly cover the mouth and nose. The public is also reminded not only to observe minimum public health standards in public places or workplaces but also at home),” she added.