DOH confirms UK coronavirus variant in Filipino traveler

The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the presence of the UK variant of coronavirus in a Filipino traveler returning from the United Arab Emirates.

Health authorities have isolated 125 co-passengers of the infected individual, who are awaiting test results.

All inbound travelers testing positive for COVID-19 will now undergo genome sequencing to detect the new variant.

Close contacts of the infected person, including family members and travel companions, are being tested and isolated.