ABS-CBN
'Not much difference' between omicron and subvariant, 1 more death reported: DOH
The Philippines has detected the BA.1 and BA.2 or 'Stealth Omicron' sub-lineages of the Omicron variant.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire stated that BA.2, nicknamed 'Stealth Omicron' by foreign scientists due to its genetic traits making it harder to detect using standard RT-PCR tests, is now predominant in most regions in the country.
The subvariant BA.1 has been detected in eight regions and is predominant in the Bicol region and among returning overseas Filipinos.
The Philippines now has 535 Omicron cases.
Vergeire noted that experts have yet to observe a significant clinical difference between BA.1 and BA.2, although further study is needed.
BA.2 has currently been identified in at least 49 countries and 17 US states.
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The Philippine Genome Center (PGC) has detected the BA.2 sublineage, also known as 'stealth Omicron,' in approximately 75% of sequenced COVID-19 samples.
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The Department of Health (DOH) reported 618 new Omicron variant cases in the Philippines, bringing the total confirmed Omicron cases to 1,153.
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The Philippines has confirmed 492 new Omicron variant cases, bringing the total to 535, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
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The Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed 28 cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in Eastern Visayas.
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The Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed three additional deaths linked to the Omicron variant, raising the country's total Omicron-related fatalities to five.
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