NEARLY 400 additional coronavirus disease (COVID-19) variant cases have been identified by the Philippine Genome Center, the Department of Health reported late Saturday night.
In a statement, the DOH said 382 COVID-19 variant cases were detected from the latest 1,361 samples sequenced by the PGC from March 28 to April 8.
The report showed 1 Brazil (P.1) variant case, 170 United Kingdom (B.1.1.7) variant cases, 192 South African (B.1.351) variant cases, and 19 Philippines (P.3) variant cases.
The DOH said there are now 392 UK cases, 344 South African cases, 123 Philippines cases, and 2 Brazil cases in the country.
Of the additional UK variant cases, eight cases were detected from Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROF), 119 were local cases, while 43 cases are still being verified if they are local or ROF cases. Data shows that two of these cases have died, while the other 168 cases have recovered.
The South African variant cases were found in one (1) Returning Overseas Filipino (ROF), while 143 were local cases. The PGC is still verifying if the 48 other cases are local or ROF cases. Based on the case line list, two cases remain active, three cases have died, and 187 cases have already recovered.
The Philippine variant case was found on 2 ROFs and 10 local cases. Seven cases are still being verified if they are local or ROF cases. All cases have recovered.
The one additional Brazil variant case was an ROF who flew in from Brazil and with current address in Soccsksargen. The DOH said the case is still active.
With the increasing number of COVID-19 variant cases being detected in the country, the DOH renewed its call for everyone to do their share in stopping the transmission of the virus.
“(Let us) reduce contact rate and limit the spread of variants through strict and consistent adherence to the minimum public health standards and increased support for the national vaccination program as it will significantly mitigate transmission of COVID-19,” said the DOH.
