DOH detects 128 new Omicron subvariant cases

The Department of Health (DOH) reported 128 new cases of Omicron subvariants detected between January 3-9, 2023.

Of these, 52 were BA.2.3.20, 28 were XBB, 13 were XBC, 10 were BA.5, and one was BN.1; the remaining 24 cases were unspecified Omicron subvariants.

Most of the new cases (99) were local infections with only five from returning overseas Filipinos.

The DOH noted that while these subvariants are being monitored, none have been classified as variants of concern by the WHO.