PH detects 18 more UK COVID-19 variant cases, 3 more cases of mutations
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PH detects 18 more UK COVID-19 variant cases, 3 more cases of mutations
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 21, 2021 02:55 PM PHT
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Updated Feb 22, 2021 11:12 AM PHT

MANILA (UPDATE) - The Philippines has detected 18 more patients with the more contagious COVID-19 variant first found in the United Kingdom, and an additional 3 cases of coronavirus mutation, the Department of Health said Sunday.
MANILA (UPDATE) - The Philippines has detected 18 more patients with the more contagious COVID-19 variant first found in the United Kingdom, and an additional 3 cases of coronavirus mutation, the Department of Health said Sunday.
The 18 new B.1.1.7 variant cases brings the county's total to 62. Of the new cases, 13 were returning Filipino migrant workers who entered the country between Jan. 3 to 27, the DOH said in a statement.
The 18 new B.1.1.7 variant cases brings the county's total to 62. Of the new cases, 13 were returning Filipino migrant workers who entered the country between Jan. 3 to 27, the DOH said in a statement.
Three other cases are from the Cordillera Administrative Region, 2 of which are both 12-year-old males connected to the original cluster from Samoki, Bontoc, Mountain Province, according to the agency.
Three other cases are from the Cordillera Administrative Region, 2 of which are both 12-year-old males connected to the original cluster from Samoki, Bontoc, Mountain Province, according to the agency.
The third case is a 41 year-old female connected to the first La Trinidad cluster. All 3 cases are now tagged as recovered and all close contacts have completed quarantine, the DOH added.
The third case is a 41 year-old female connected to the first La Trinidad cluster. All 3 cases are now tagged as recovered and all close contacts have completed quarantine, the DOH added.
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Two other patients are being verified if they are local cases or returning Filipino migrant workers, the health department said.
Two other patients are being verified if they are local cases or returning Filipino migrant workers, the health department said.
The total number of patients found to have both N501Y and E484K coronavirus mutations has climbed to 34 following 3 additional cases, said the DOH.
The total number of patients found to have both N501Y and E484K coronavirus mutations has climbed to 34 following 3 additional cases, said the DOH.
The 2 mutations have "potential clinical significance" of COVID-19 in Central Visayas, the DOH earlier said.
The 2 mutations have "potential clinical significance" of COVID-19 in Central Visayas, the DOH earlier said.
The E484K mutation is present in the South African variant of SARS-CoV-2. The N501Y mutation is also found in the UK coronavirus variant, which has been associated by experts with higher transmissibility.
The E484K mutation is present in the South African variant of SARS-CoV-2. The N501Y mutation is also found in the UK coronavirus variant, which has been associated by experts with higher transmissibility.
In an interview with ANC Monday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the increased COVID-19 cases in Central Visayas could not be solely attributed to the presence of mutations.
In an interview with ANC Monday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the increased COVID-19 cases in Central Visayas could not be solely attributed to the presence of mutations.
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"Well that would be a possibility but we can't attribute it to this factor because there are also other factors why cases are increasing in certain areas in the Visayas," she said.
"Well that would be a possibility but we can't attribute it to this factor because there are also other factors why cases are increasing in certain areas in the Visayas," she said.
The region has recently relaxed to a more relaxed community quarantine, she said, which means higher mobility and contact rate.
The region has recently relaxed to a more relaxed community quarantine, she said, which means higher mobility and contact rate.
Despite the surge in coronavirus infections, Vergeire said the health-care utilization rate in Central Visayas was still at 48 percent or low risk, meaning hospitals could still cope with COVID-19 cases.
Despite the surge in coronavirus infections, Vergeire said the health-care utilization rate in Central Visayas was still at 48 percent or low risk, meaning hospitals could still cope with COVID-19 cases.
"We will be assessing after 1 week if they are managing so that we can be able to assess what type of assistance they would be needing," she added.
"We will be assessing after 1 week if they are managing so that we can be able to assess what type of assistance they would be needing," she added.
The DOH urged local governments with cases of coronavirus variants and mutations with potential clinical significance to closely monitor the situation and implement anti-virus measures such as localized lockdowns, active case finding, immediate contact tracing, and isolation/quarantine.
The DOH urged local governments with cases of coronavirus variants and mutations with potential clinical significance to closely monitor the situation and implement anti-virus measures such as localized lockdowns, active case finding, immediate contact tracing, and isolation/quarantine.
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"The goal is to bring down transmission rates to levels where biosurveillance can no longer detect mutations of interest," it said.
"The goal is to bring down transmission rates to levels where biosurveillance can no longer detect mutations of interest," it said.
The Philippines as of Saturday reported 559,288 COVID-19 cases, of which 34,100 are active infections.
The Philippines as of Saturday reported 559,288 COVID-19 cases, of which 34,100 are active infections.
The country has yet to officially start vaccination of its population even as its Asian neighbors have already rolled out their respective inoculation programs.
The country has yet to officially start vaccination of its population even as its Asian neighbors have already rolled out their respective inoculation programs.
Read More:
DOH
Department of Health
UK COVID-19 variant
COVID-19 mutation
N501Y
E484K
Philippines COVID-19
Philippines COVID-19 mutations
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