DOH confirms local transmission of Omicron XBB and XBC variants

The Philippines has identified 81 cases of the Omicron XBB subvariant and 193 cases of the XBC variant of COVID-19.

The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed local transmission of both the XBB subvariant and XBC variant, as cases are no longer linked to overseas travel.

The 81 XBB cases were found in Western Visayas and Davao Region, with 70 having recovered, eight still in isolation, and three whose status is unverified.

The 193 XBC cases were detected in 11 regions, with 176 recovered, three isolated, five deaths, and nine unverified.

The XBB variant is a recombination of BJ.1 and BM.1.1.1 strains, while XBC is a combination of the Omicron BA.2 sublineage and the Delta variant.

The Omicron XBB subvariant has shown a higher ability to evade the immune system compared to BA.5, according to preliminary studies, and is the primary cause of recent infection spikes in Singapore.

There is currently insufficient evidence to suggest that the XBB subvariant causes more severe illness, and evidence does not suggest any differences in disease or clinical manifestations between XBB and the original Omicron variant.