The Department of Health (DOH) recorded the first 10 cases of Covid-19 omicron subvariant EG.5 on Thursday, July 27.

This was based on the genome sequencing results conducted from July 14 to 25.

"The EG.5 variant is an XBB.1.9.2 sublineage that was recently added to the list of variants under monitoring by the WHO last July 19. The variant was initially flagged due to its increasing global prevalence and has been detected in 44 countries or jurisdictions across six continents, according to sequence submissions in GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data)," said DOH.

However, the health department noted that the newly detected subvariant "does not suggest any differences in disease severity and/or clinical manifestations" compared to the original Omicron variant.

Researchers are still studying the subvariant in terms of transmissibility, immune evasion, and its ability to cause more severe disease, it added.

Meanwhile, there are no additional cases for omicron subvariant FE.1.