Test results of 1 more contact being verified
THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said seven of the eight close contacts of the country’s first two confirmed cases of the Omicron variant have tested negative of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In a virtual press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said one was the close contact of the 48-year-old returning overseas Filipino from Japan, while the seven were close contacts of the 37-year-old Nigerian from Nigeria.
“The close contact identified had negative test result released last December 4,” Vergeire said.
“So you might be wondering why there is only one close contact for our 48-year-old male from Japan. It’s because he was seated in a business class and it was just one passenger with him in this business class section,” she added.
The Filipino traveler is currently asymptomatic but had symptoms of colds and cough upon arrival last December 1. He has been under quarantine since testing positive for COVID-19 last December 7.
On the other hand, Vergeire said six of the seven close contacts of the Nigerian tested negative last December 2 and 3 and have completed their mandatory quarantine.
“The six identified close contacts all tested negative last December 2 to 3,” related Vergeire.
Vergeire said the test results of the remaining close contact are still being verified.
“The reason why there are just seven close contacts because the foreign national sat at the very end of the place. So, we only counted those in front of him and on his side,” she explained.
Close contacts of air passengers are identified by counting four seats in every direction from the positive case.
The DOH spokesperson said the Nigerian is also currently asymptomatic and has been undergoing quarantine since testing positive for COVID-19 last December 7.
Vergeire said samples of the two Omicron cases will be collected today for their repeat RT-PCR test.
The DOH reiterated its call for all travelers of Oman Air flight number WY 843 from Oman last November 30, and Philippine Airlines flight PR 0427 from Japan last December 1, to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.
“At the first sign of COVID-19 symptoms, travelers should contact their Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTS) in their respective LGUs or via DOH hotlines (02) 894 – COVID or 1555 to get the assistance they need,” said the DOH.
DON’T PANIC
At the same time, Vergeire said there is no need for the public to panic with the detection of the highly transmissible mutation of the coronavirus.
“I’d like to be very clear on this: We do not need to panic. We do not need to fear,” said Vergeire, adding: “What we need to do is be cautious, and be focused. There is no room for complacency now.”
Vergeire said there is no need for the public to panic as the two cases and their co-passengers underwent the required quarantine period as well as swab testing.
“This means that the chances that they are sick when they returned to their communities are very slim because we complied with the screening guidelines,” she said.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the Philippines is “very prepared” against the Omicron variant as he expressed hope that there will be no local transmission of the variant.
“Since Omicron is already here, for now its imported and we are hopeful that it will not get introduced to community, let us use this (information) not to be alarmed but to remind people that Omicron is a serious threat,” Duque said at the Bayanihan, Bakunahan ceremonies held at the Subic Municipal Gymnasium in Zambales.
He said several measures are already in place in case the new variant spreads to communities.
“We are very prepared, and this is not an empty statement,” he said as he recalled how the country coped during the surge of COVID-19 cases from July to August last year and in March to April, and August to September this year.
Duque said more studies are being done about Omicron, including the efficacy of the vaccines, but initial data showed that it could be more transmissible than Delta but less virulent.
National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said there were observations from Omicron cases in other countries that for every 11 persons infected with Omicron, 10 are unvaccinated and one is vaccinated.
Galvez said the confirmed two cases should not cause panic but instead encourage people to be vaccinated, especially those who are still unvaccinated and for those who already received their first dose and second dose to be fully vaccinated and get their booster.
He said apart from ramping up vaccination, the NTF, Department of Health and the Bureau of Quarantine in the past days have revisited and evaluated the current border controls at the airports and seaport controls, as well as reviewed the hospital system from the number of available healthcare workers to available intensive care units and ward beds, among others.
He said local government units had been instructed to review their current hospital and healthcare system as well as their quarantine and isolation facilities so they can immediately act and prevent the spread of Omicron.
Vergeire said being vigilant and cautious means that the public must strengthen their compliance to the minimum public health standards (MPHS).
“Whatever variant enters the country, as long as we comply with the safety protocols, like face mask, avoiding crowded areas, adequate ventilation of places, washing of hands, our chances of being protected from whatever variant is there,” said the official.
Similarly, she said local government units must enhance their COVID-19 response strategies.
“Local governments should do active case finding. Find those that are sick and have them isolated immediately so they can stop the transmission,” said Vergeire.
Finally, the health official stressed the need to have as many individuals as possible vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Even if vaccines may have reduced efficacy, we should at least get vaccinated so we can get added protection,” said Vergeire.
Asked if the DOH believes that the current Alert Level 2 should be heightened, Vergeire answered in the negative.
“For now, we still have no reason to heighten our alert level once again. But we will continue to be vigilant and monitor the situation,” she said.
She also said that they do not see the need yet to ban incoming flights from all of the 79 countries that have detected the Omicron variant.
“It is not rational for us to close our borders to countries, including those with only one case,” said Vergeire.
On Wednesday, the DOH reported the detection of the first two cases of the Omicron variant in the Philippines. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
