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5-day isolation period for asymptomatic cases 'too early' in light of omicron threat: DOH

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Davinci Maru, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Visitors flock the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2021. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/12/28/20211225-covid19-christmas-day-s0931841-01-md.jpg"/><figcaption>Visitors flock the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2021. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — It is still &quot;too early&quot; to shorten isolation period for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, in light of the threat of the highly contagious omicron variant, the Department of Health said Tuesday.</p><p>Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire made this remark in response to the recommendation of US health authorities to halve the isolation time for people with asymptomatic COVID-19 infections, from 10 to 5 days.</p><p>&quot;This has to be discussed thoroughly with our experts. But based from my knowledge, I think this is too early because of the threat of the omicron,&quot; Vergeire told ANC&#x27;s &quot;Headstart&quot;.</p><p>She said there is still no complete evidence regarding the characteristics of the omicron variant. Many countries are still falling behind in administering the anti-virus jabs, she added.</p><p>&quot;This might pose as a risk rather than of benefit to countries because it may only lead to infection,&quot; she said in a mix of Filipino and English.</p><p>In the Philippines, immediate isolation is required of any individual with fever or at least 2 or more symptoms of COVID-19.</p><p>According to the Department of Health, all asymptomatic confirmed cases shall be placed in isolation for a minimum of 10 days from the first viral diagnostic test. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/12/28/21/us-halves-isolation-guidelines-for-asymptomatic-covid">US halves isolation guidelines for asymptomatic COVID-19</a></li></ul><p>The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that the 5-day isolation period be &quot;followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others.&quot;</p><p>The agency said the new guidelines were &quot;motivated by science,&quot; which had demonstrated that the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally 1 to 2 days prior to the onset of symptoms and in the 2 to 3 days after.</p><p>&quot;The omicron variant is spreading quickly and has the potential to impact all facets of our society,&quot; CDC director Rochelle Walensky said in a statement announcing the change.</p><p>&quot;These updates ensure people can safely continue their daily lives.&quot;</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/12/28/21/biden-covid-19-to-overrun-some-us-hospitals">No ‘panic’, but coronavirus to ‘overrun’ some US hospitals, says Biden</a></li></ul><p>The updates came as the highly transmissible omicron strain has sent cases skyrocketing across the United States, once again disrupting lives and a global economy battered by almost two years of the pandemic.</p><p>Since the pandemic began, the Philippines has logged over 2.8 million COVID-19 cases, with 51,000 fatalities and around 9,500 active cases.</p><p>On Monday, the country confirmed its fourth case of the omicron variant in a Filipina who came from the United States.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/27/21/philippines-detects-4th-case-of-omicron-variant">Philippines detects 4th case of omicron variant</a></li></ul><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=1876045" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><div> </div>

It is still 'too early' to shorten isolation period for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in light of the threat of the omicron variant, the DOH said.

5-day isolation period for asymptomatic cases 'too early' in light of omicron threat: DOH

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5-day isolation period for asymptomatic cases 'too early' in light of omicron threat: DOH

Davinci Maru,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 28, 2021 12:30 PM PHT

Read More:

ANC

Headstart

Department of Health

DOH

Maria Rosario Vergeire

COVID-19

COVID19

coronavirus

COVID-19 omicron variant

omicron

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