THE Philippine Genome Center (PGC) has found more than 600 additional cases of the United Kingdom (UK), South Africa and Philippines COVID-19 variants in reported infections all over the country, the Department of Health reported yesterday.
The DOH said 109 cases are still active.
Citing a report submitted by the PGC, the health department said the 642 additional COVID-19 variant cases included 266 UK (B.1.1.7) variant cases, 351 South Africa (B.1.351) variant, and 25 Philippines (P.3) variant.
Of the additional 266 UK cases, 11 cases are returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs), 188 are local cases, and 67 cases are currently being verified if they are local or ROF cases.
Based on the case line list, eight patients have died and 204 cases have recovered, while 54 cases are still active.
In all, there are already 658 UK variant cases in the country.
For the additional 351 South Africa variant cases, 15 cases are ROFs, 263 are local cases, and 73 cases are currently being verified if they are local or ROF cases.
Of this number, 54 cases are still active, four cases have died, and 293 cases have recovered. There are 695 cases of the South Africa variant.
Of the 25 additional Philippines variant cases, two are ROFs, 21 are local cases, and two cases are being verified if they are local or ROF cases. One patient has yet to recover from the illness, while 24 cases have recovered. In total, there are already of 148 Philippines variant cases in the country.
The DOH renewed its appeal to the public to do their part in preventing the further transmission of the virus.
“We reiterate that strict and consistent adherence to the minimum public health standards (MPHS), and increased support for the national vaccination program,” said the DOH.
