The new Covid-19 variants are “likely here” in the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday, May 28.

Issuing a statement, the DOH said that sequencing efforts are continuously being conducted by the University of the Philippines - Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC) and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

“Whether or not sequencing shows variants flagged by global health agencies, the DOH assumes the flagged Omicron subvariants (i.e., KP.2, KP.3) are already likely here and notes that cases continue to be clinically mild and manageable,” the agency said.

New Covid variants

The DOH said that there are four variants under monitoring (VUM), including JN.1.7, JN.1.18, KP.2, and KP.3, which are all descendants of JN.1.

The variants KP.2 and KP.3, the DOH said, are the proper names of what are informally known as “FLiRT” variants.

The DOH explained that FLiRT is a nickname coined by some researchers to describe amino acid changes in the Covid-19 virus’ spike protein, specifically from phenylalanine (F) to leucine (L) at position 456, and from arginine (R) to threonine (T) at position 346.

However, the DOH said it avoids using "FLiRT" to refer to the subvariants.

As the term is “informal and casual,” the DOH said using it might result in a “miscommunication of health risk.”

Citing the World Health Organization (WHO), the DOH noted that “there are currently no reported laboratory or epidemiological reports indicating any association between VOIs/VUMs and increased disease severity.”

The DOH pointed out that there is still “no evidence” now that the KP.2 and KP.3 variants are causing severe to critical Covid-19, both locally and internationally.

“Further assessment continues to determine transmissibility and capacity to evade immune response,” the DOH added.

Covid-19 cases tracking

Meanwhile, the DOH explained that it continues to track Covid-19 case counts and newly designated variants under monitoring.

Citing data as of May 20, the DOH said that all Philippine regions remain at “low risk” for Covid-19.

READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/21/doh-reminds-doctors-of-mandatory-reporting-of-positive-covid-19-patients

The average number of daily reported cases for the week of May 14 to 20, the DOH said, is “less than half” compared to around 500 per day at the start of this year and also compared to around 1,750 per day in the middle of May 2023.

The DOH noted that the average number of daily reported severe, critical, and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Covid-19 admissions as of May 18 is “much less” than its level in the middle of May 2023.

Out of the new cases reported for the said week, the DOH noted that 16 had severe or critical disease. Meanwhile, 12 deaths were recorded, of which 5 occurred in the recent two weeks, from May 7 to 20.

As of May 18, DOH data also showed that only 12 percent (141/1,155) of dedicated Covid-19 ICU beds were occupied, and only 14 percent (1,435/10,356) of total Covid-19 beds were occupied.

Based on hospital reports in the DOH Data Collect application, severe and critical Covid-19 cases admitted in various hospitals total only 151, or nine percent of total admissions.

No basis for travel restrictions

Despite the increase in Covid-19 cases, the DOH stressed that “there is still no scientific basis for travel restrictions to any country.”

The DOH said it remains in close coordination with international health authorities.

The Bureau of Quarantine, under the DOH, is also keeping a “close watch” over points of entry nationwide, as demonstrated by the latest instructions for heightened screening.

READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/27/doh-calls-for-comprehensive-covid-19-screening-as-new-variants-emerge

Moreover, the DOH noted that there are “no additional entry forms or procedures” required beyond what is now in the eTravel.gov.ph website or eGovPH app.

Precautionary measures

The DOH reminded the public to ensure precautionary measures to avoid the further spread of the virus.

“It is also best for those who feel ill to stay at home for the meantime, or to properly wear a mask should there be a need to go out,” the DOH said. 

Good respiratory hygiene, such as covering coughs, washing hands, avoiding crowds, and ensuring good airflow and ventilation, are “tried and tested” ways to prevent Influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) and other acute respiratory illnesses, including Covid-19, DOH added. 

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