DOH confirms local transmission of Omicron XBB, XBC variants
The Philippines has recorded 81 cases of the Omicron XBB subvariant and 193 cases of the XBC variant, marking local transmission.
XBB is a recombination of the BJ.1 and BM.1.1.1 strains of the Omicron variant, while XBC combines BA.2 and Delta variants.
Health experts advise Filipinos to get booster shots as areas with low vaccination rates and booster uptake have higher risk for case increases.
No evidence suggests that these subvariants cause more severe illness, but they are highly transmissible.
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