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Philippines detects omicron BA.2.12.1 in Metro Manila, Puerto Princesa

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Gillan Ropero, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, isolated from a patient. Image captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. NIAID" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/tvpatrol/01/10/20200310-covid-19-generic-photos-niaid.jpg"/><figcaption>Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, isolated from a patient. Image captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. <em>NIAID</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA (2nd UPDATE) - The Philippines has detected 14 omicron BA.2.12.1 cases in Metro Manila and Puerto Princesa, the Department of Health said Friday.</p><p>Two local cases of the highly transmissible omicron subvariant found in Metro Manila have completed home isolation and are now asymptomatic, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/05/12/22/newer-omicron-subvariants-seen-to-have-growth-advantage-over-ba2">Omicron sublineages seen to have a growth advantage over dominant BA.2</a></li></ul><p>Both were fully vaccinated individuals with booster shots who had no international travel history, the DOH said in a statement.</p><p>The two patients have a total of 39 close contacts, Vergeire said. The DOH is looking into the vaccination status and quarantine and testing information of these close contacts, she added.</p><p>The DOH has also detected 12 cases of the omicron subvariant in Puerto Princesa, of which 11 were foreign tourists and one was a local individual, Vergeire said.</p><p>The cases came from a tourist cluster where 14 foreigners and 1 local tested positive for COVID-19 last April 29.</p><p>Five of the 15 cases experienced mild symptoms, according to Vergeire. All were asymptomatic and have since recovered, she said. Twenty-eight close contacts have tested negative for COVID-19 while their health and vaccination status are being verified, Vergeire added.</p><p>The BA.2.12.1, a sublineage of BA.2, has been detected in 23 countries. It comprises majority of COVID-19 cases in the United States.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/22/new-covid-omicron-subvariants-will-cause-surge-octa">New COVID-19 omicron subvariants will cause surge in cases: OCTA Research</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/11/22/possible-rise-in-covid-cases-expected-2-weeks-after-elections-expert">Possible rise in COVID cases expected 2 weeks after elections: expert</a></li></ul><p>The Philippines last month detected BA.2.12 in a Finnish woman who visited Baguio City and Quezon City and has since recovered and returned to her home country.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/27/22/omicron-ba212-detected-in-foreign-visitor-doh">DOH detects omicron BA.2.12 in foreign visitor; patient has recovered, returned home</a></li></ul><p>&quot;Itong dalawang &#x27;to pareho silang more transmissible than the original omicron variant tsaka pareho silang may possibility ng immune escape,&quot; Vergeire said.</p><p>(These 2 are more transmissible than the original omicron variant and they both have the possibility of immune escape.)</p><p>The country&#x27;s surveillance systems are &quot;able to detect new cases and characterize their lineage,&quot; the DOH said in a statement.</p><p>&quot;Should a variant of concern (VOC) enter the country, expert projections indicate a possible rise and peak in COVID-19 cases, especially with the currently low booster coverage among the eligible population,&quot; it said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/13/22/doh-new-variants-may-raise-ncr-hospital-admissions">Metro Manila may see higher hospital, ICU admissions if new variants enter: DOH</a></li></ul><p>&quot;Our vaccines are proven to be safe and effective, which helps keep healthcare utilization low and the economy reopening under Alert Level 1. Everyone eligible for a booster shot is highly encouraged to get the jab done, as immunity is proven to wane over time.&quot;</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2013702" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

The Philippines has detected four omicron BA.2.12.1 cases in Metro Manila and Puerto Princesa, the Department of Health said Friday.

Philippines detects omicron BA.2.12.1 in Metro Manila, Puerto Princesa

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Philippines detects omicron BA.2.12.1 in Metro Manila, Puerto Princesa

Gillan Ropero,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 13, 2022 02:13 PM PHT

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Updated May 13, 2022 08:19 PM PHT

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