The Department of Health (DOH) admitted Thursday that the Delta coronavirus subvariant or the AY 4.2 subvariant has yet to be detected in the Philippines.
The new virus strain was first reported in European nations and in Israel.
“As of this moment, experts are still studying the potential impact of the Delta sublineage on the transmissibility and severity of Covid-19. The particular Delta sublineage has not yet been detected among the Covid-19 positive samples sequenced in the country,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a statement.
Vergeire noted that public vigilance should be enforced on all Covid-19 cases adding that each case must be quarantined as soon as possible.
“Each case must be immediately isolated and contact traced upon detection. Current evidence also showed that the presence or absence of a variant of interest or concern among cases do not dictate the appropriate clinical management. We should always remain vigilant against Covid-19, moreso that we are safely reopening our economy,” she said.
The health department also advised the public to continue practicing the minimum public health standards, to help prevent the transmission of the Covid-19 virus.
She added that eligible people must get the Covid-19 vaccines.
“Proper wearing of face mask and face shield, frequent hand washing or sanitizing, avoiding crowded places and observing physical distancing, and ensuring there is proper ventilation in our homes, workplaces, and public transportation are non-pharmaceutical interventions that all of us can do to ensure that we and everyone around us are safe,” said Vergeire.
“Getting fully-vaccinated is also another layer of protection that can help us from getting severe COVID-19,” she further pointed out. Ronald Espartinez