DOH confirms 678 additional COVID-19 variant cases

The Department of Health (DOH) reported the detection of 678 additional cases of COVID-19 variants in the country.

Of the 744 sequenced samples, 289 cases of the UK variant (B.1.1.7) were found, with 185 confirmed as local cases, 48 as returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs), and 56 cases pending verification.

Additionally, 380 cases of the South African variant (B.1.351) were reported, comprising 196 local cases, 107 ROFs, and 77 cases pending verification.

Nine additional cases of the Philippine variant (P.3) were also confirmed, including four local cases, three ROFs, and two cases pending verification.

The DOH stated that the B.1.351 variant is the most common among the sequenced samples with assigned lineages, though not the dominant variant in the country.

The P.3 variant has not been identified as a variant of concern due to insufficient data on its public health implications.