DOH reports 814 new Omicron subvariant cases

The Department of Health (DOH) reported 814 new cases of various Omicron subvariants detected in the Philippines.

Of the newly detected cases, 785 are Omicron XBB subvariants, all identified as local cases across various regions except Eastern Visayas.

The specific Omicron XBB sublineages identified include XBB.2.3 (254 cases), XBB.1.16 (206 cases), XBB.1.9.1 (135 cases), XBB.1.5 (65 cases), and XBB.1.9.2 (35 cases), along with 90 other XBB sublineages.

Additionally, 20 cases of BA.2.3.20 were found in multiple regions, and one case each of BA.2.75 and XBC were also detected.

The DOH noted that XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 are considered variants of interest by the WHO.

Other Omicron sublineages like XBB, XBB.1.9.1, XBB.1.9.2, XBB.2.3, and BA.2.75 are currently under monitoring by the WHO.

The ECDC classifies BA.2.75, XBB, and XBB.1.5 as variants of interest, with XBB.16 being a variant under monitoring.

This increase in subvariant cases comes as the country recorded its lowest daily COVID-19 infections since March 28, with 170 new cases reported on Tuesday.