DOH detects 656 new Omicron subvariant cases

The Philippines has detected an additional 656 cases of Omicron subvariants of COVID-19, as reported by the Department of Health (DOH).

Of the newly identified cases, 624 are BA.5 subvariant cases, with 134 from the National Capital Region (NCR), 119 from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), 61 from Calabarzon, 56 from Soccsksargen, 41 from Central Luzon, 40 from Caraga, 35 from Central Visayas, 33 from Cagayan Valley, 26 from Ilocos Region, 22 from the Bicol Region, 15 from Mimaropa, six each from Western Visayas and BARMM, five each from Zamboanga Peninsula and Davao Region, and one from Northern Mindanao.

Nineteen returning overseas Filipinos (ROF) were also found carrying the BA.5 subvariant.

The country also detected additional 13 BA.4 and one BA.2.12.1 subvariant cases.

There were also 18 cases of other COVID-19 sublineages logged.

The BA.5 subvariant is known to be particularly good at evading immune protection from vaccination or prior infection.