FLiRT variants 'highly likely' behind COVID-19 uptick in Philippines: DOH | ABS-CBN
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FLiRT variants 'highly likely' behind COVID-19 uptick in Philippines: DOH
Well-wishers wait for the arrival of passengers at NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City on May 27, 2024. The Bureau of Quarantine recently issued a heightened alert advisory for the COVID-19 FLiRT variant, advising quarantine stations and related agencies to thoroughly screen arriving visitors from countries where COVID-19 FLiRT incidents have been reported at all of the country’s points of entry. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Well-wishers wait for the arrival of passengers at NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City on May 27, 2024. The Bureau of Quarantine recently issued a heightened alert advisory for the COVID-19 FLiRT variant, advising quarantine stations and related agencies to thoroughly screen arriving visitors from countries where COVID-19 FLiRT incidents have been reported at all of the country’s points of entry. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News MANILA – While there is no evidence yet that the FLiRT variants of COVID-19 are behind the increase in cases in the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday this may highly likely be the case.
MANILA – While there is no evidence yet that the FLiRT variants of COVID-19 are behind the increase in cases in the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday this may highly likely be the case.
DOH Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said this after 2 cases of the KP.2 variant were identified in recent sequencing data by the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC).
DOH Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said this after 2 cases of the KP.2 variant were identified in recent sequencing data by the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC).
KP.2 and KP.3 – considered new variants or variants under monitoring (VUM) – have been dubbed as "FLiRT" variants by some researchers to describe amino acid changes in the spike protein of the COVID-19 virus.
KP.2 and KP.3 – considered new variants or variants under monitoring (VUM) – have been dubbed as "FLiRT" variants by some researchers to describe amino acid changes in the spike protein of the COVID-19 virus.
"Kami na sa DOH ang nagsasabing malamang sa malamang, iyan ang dahilan... Kasi meron tayong epidemiological report or advisory mula sa World Health Organization as of the early part of May, tapos meron tayong datos mula sa Singapore,” Domingo said in a phone interview with ABS-CBN News.
"Kami na sa DOH ang nagsasabing malamang sa malamang, iyan ang dahilan... Kasi meron tayong epidemiological report or advisory mula sa World Health Organization as of the early part of May, tapos meron tayong datos mula sa Singapore,” Domingo said in a phone interview with ABS-CBN News.
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“Una nating nakita ang Singapore na nagdeklara na ang daming pumasok na kaso sa kanila pero puro mild at hindi severe. Ganoon din sa Estados Unidos, sa Center for Disease Control, Centers for Disease Control nila. At dito ngayong meron na tayong confirmation na nandito nga pala si KP.2, pero nakita na natin two cases so far," he said.
“Una nating nakita ang Singapore na nagdeklara na ang daming pumasok na kaso sa kanila pero puro mild at hindi severe. Ganoon din sa Estados Unidos, sa Center for Disease Control, Centers for Disease Control nila. At dito ngayong meron na tayong confirmation na nandito nga pala si KP.2, pero nakita na natin two cases so far," he said.
Domingo said the UP-PGC sequencing data results only confirmed what they had suspected.
Domingo said the UP-PGC sequencing data results only confirmed what they had suspected.
"Hindi na kami nagulat na meron na. In fact, sabi nga namin noong inaantay natin iyong genome sequencing, I think one or two weeks ago, sabi namin andito na iyan for all we are aware of. Kasi we are looking at the same behavior na tumataas iyong transmission, pero mild lang ang mga kaso at hindi tumataas iyong mga namamatay at nagiging severe na kaso," Domingo said.
"Hindi na kami nagulat na meron na. In fact, sabi nga namin noong inaantay natin iyong genome sequencing, I think one or two weeks ago, sabi namin andito na iyan for all we are aware of. Kasi we are looking at the same behavior na tumataas iyong transmission, pero mild lang ang mga kaso at hindi tumataas iyong mga namamatay at nagiging severe na kaso," Domingo said.
What used to be the cause of death of many Filipinos, is now considered by the DOH as an "endemic" - a disease that the public must learn to live with.
What used to be the cause of death of many Filipinos, is now considered by the DOH as an "endemic" - a disease that the public must learn to live with.
"Pag ang isang sakit ay endemic, narito na siya sa bansa natin, sa lugar natin at hindi na siya ganoon kadaling mawala. Ibig sabihin ba dapat tayong maalarma kung endemic na ang isang sakit? Hindi po," he said.
"Pag ang isang sakit ay endemic, narito na siya sa bansa natin, sa lugar natin at hindi na siya ganoon kadaling mawala. Ibig sabihin ba dapat tayong maalarma kung endemic na ang isang sakit? Hindi po," he said.
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Examples of endemic diseases include flu and dengue, the official noted.
Examples of endemic diseases include flu and dengue, the official noted.
"At hindi ito iyong last time na makakakita tayo ng bagong sub-variant kasi ang buhay talaga ng coronavirus - iyong pamilyang iyan ng mga virus - nagbabago-bago talaga iyong kanilang anyo kasi sinusubukan nilang utakan iyong ating immune system," he added.
"At hindi ito iyong last time na makakakita tayo ng bagong sub-variant kasi ang buhay talaga ng coronavirus - iyong pamilyang iyan ng mga virus - nagbabago-bago talaga iyong kanilang anyo kasi sinusubukan nilang utakan iyong ating immune system," he added.
'SLOW INCREASE'
Domingo said the number of new COVID cases, while going up, is not as high as previous spikes.
Domingo said the number of new COVID cases, while going up, is not as high as previous spikes.
DOH data for May 21 to 27 showed an average of 319 COVID cases per day--higher than 202 in the previous week, but lower than the 500 daily average at the start of 2024.
DOH data for May 21 to 27 showed an average of 319 COVID cases per day--higher than 202 in the previous week, but lower than the 500 daily average at the start of 2024.
In May 2023--a year ago--the DOH logged up to 1,750 a day, Domingo said.
In May 2023--a year ago--the DOH logged up to 1,750 a day, Domingo said.
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Meanwhile, the occupancy of dedicated COVID-19 ICU beds was at 14 percent and 15 percent for total COVID-19 beds.
Meanwhile, the occupancy of dedicated COVID-19 ICU beds was at 14 percent and 15 percent for total COVID-19 beds.
"Mahalaga iyang impormasyon na ito kasi tinitingnan natin kung gaano kalala, gaano ka delikado iyong mga bagong sub-variant--si KP.2 tsaka si KP. 3--at nakikita natin na ang bilang ng mga naipapasok sa ospital para sa COVID-19 ay hindi naman gaanong tumataas," Domingo shared.
"Mahalaga iyang impormasyon na ito kasi tinitingnan natin kung gaano kalala, gaano ka delikado iyong mga bagong sub-variant--si KP.2 tsaka si KP. 3--at nakikita natin na ang bilang ng mga naipapasok sa ospital para sa COVID-19 ay hindi naman gaanong tumataas," Domingo shared.
The DOH added that "there have been no unique or different symptoms observed for KP.2".
The DOH added that "there have been no unique or different symptoms observed for KP.2".
The agency said symptoms are similar to flu and common cold, which include fever, cough, colds, and fatigue.
The agency said symptoms are similar to flu and common cold, which include fever, cough, colds, and fatigue.
COVID AND OTHER DISEASES
Domingo said they have been consistent in reminding the public to practice minimum health standards, most importantly the proper wearing of face masks, staying home when not feeling well, and getting enough rest to strengthen one's immune system.
Domingo said they have been consistent in reminding the public to practice minimum health standards, most importantly the proper wearing of face masks, staying home when not feeling well, and getting enough rest to strengthen one's immune system.
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"Nakabantay tayo sa mga ospital, nag-issue tayo ng memorandum sa Bureau of Quarantine for heightened screening - pero wala naman tayong dinagdag na requirements, heightened screening lang. So iyan iyong mga responses na ginagawa natin," he said.
"Nakabantay tayo sa mga ospital, nag-issue tayo ng memorandum sa Bureau of Quarantine for heightened screening - pero wala naman tayong dinagdag na requirements, heightened screening lang. So iyan iyong mga responses na ginagawa natin," he said.
Domingo noted that COVID is no longer the sole health priority because there are other equally important diseases, which could be fatal if immediate action is not taken.
Domingo noted that COVID is no longer the sole health priority because there are other equally important diseases, which could be fatal if immediate action is not taken.
These include hypertension, diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis, measles, and pertussis.
These include hypertension, diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis, measles, and pertussis.
"Nandiyan pa rin sa binabantayan ang COVID-19 pero mas may importante ho. Tingnan natin ilan ang namamatay sa atake sa puso, ilan ang namamatay sa stroke, ilan ang nagkaka-cancer. Tapos ngayon, iyong pinakahuling balita, iyong vape... meron na tayong first death sa vape," he said.
"Nandiyan pa rin sa binabantayan ang COVID-19 pero mas may importante ho. Tingnan natin ilan ang namamatay sa atake sa puso, ilan ang namamatay sa stroke, ilan ang nagkaka-cancer. Tapos ngayon, iyong pinakahuling balita, iyong vape... meron na tayong first death sa vape," he said.
"Nakakapagtaka na para sa ating mga kababayan, natatakot sila sa mga sinasabing FLiRT, sa mga KP.2, KP.3 - pero habang natatakot sila, iyong iba sa kanila, nagva-vape. 'Pag pinasok mo iyong usok ng vape, para ka ring nagpasok ng COVID sa loob ng iyong baga kasi nagpapapasok ka ng hindi naman dapat nasa loob ng baga mo," he added.
"Nakakapagtaka na para sa ating mga kababayan, natatakot sila sa mga sinasabing FLiRT, sa mga KP.2, KP.3 - pero habang natatakot sila, iyong iba sa kanila, nagva-vape. 'Pag pinasok mo iyong usok ng vape, para ka ring nagpasok ng COVID sa loob ng iyong baga kasi nagpapapasok ka ng hindi naman dapat nasa loob ng baga mo," he added.
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