The Department of Health (DOH) recorded two more cases of the EG.5 omicron subvariant, making the country's total number of cases 12.
They are from the National Capital Region and Cordillera Administrative Region as per DOH's biosurveillance report.
The first 10 cases were logged on July 27.
EG.5 is a sublineage of XBB.1.9.2, recently added to the list of variants under monitoring by the World Health Organization on July 19.
This subvariant was initially flagged because of its global prevalence; however, the health department noted that there is no sufficient evidence yet to determine whether it can cause a more severe infection compared to the original omicron variant.
Researchers are also still studying the transmissibility, severity, and immunity evasion of EG.5.
Keep the mask up
On Aug. 2, DOH released a statement urging the public to continue wearing face masks as protection against the newly detected EG.5 omicron subvariant and other infectious diseases. It also encouraged individuals who are yet to be vaccinated to get their jab to further strengthen their wall of immunity and to remain protected against Covid-19.READ:
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