DOH reports 8 new UK variant cases, total now 25

The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Friday that eight new cases of the UK variant of COVID-19 have been detected in the Philippines, bringing the total number of cases to 25.

Three of these new cases are from Bontoc, Mountain Province, including two females aged 25 and 54 who were close contacts of a previously reported case, and a 31-year-old male whose link is still being verified.

Two additional cases are from La Trinidad, Benguet, while the eighth case involves a 35-year-old male from Liloan, Cebu, with a mild condition.

The DOH stated that it will coordinate with local government units for immediate investigation and intensified contact tracing to identify sources of infection.