DOH bares detection of 2 sub-variants that may spread less noticeable
The Philippines has already detected the BA.1 and the BA.2, also called the Stealth Omicron, two sub-lineages of the more transmissible Omicron coronavirus variant, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday.
In a briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said BA.1 is most common in returning overseas Filipinos and in Region V while the BA.2 is most common in local cases in every region.
“For now, we need to tell the public that experts have yet to see clinical differences between BA.1 and BA.2,” Vergeire said.
She said further study is required because the data involving the sub-variant was still limited.
Vergeire also said the Omicron variant may now be considered the predominant variant in the National Capital Region and other regions due to its increasing cases.
She said Omicron samples increased from 1.30 percent to 98.9 percent in January.
Foreign scientists have dubbed BA. 2 the “Stealth Omicron” because it has genetic traits that make it more difficult to identify using standard RT-PCR testing.
Since it is difficult to identify, experts fear it may be spreading less noticeably around the world.
At present, BA.2 has been detected in at least 49 countries and 17 US states.
“While the BA.1 is known as the dominant sub-lineage internationally, the number of BA.2 cases detected in various countries is increasing,” she said.
Vergeire previously said the World Health Organization (WHO) and other experts are still studying the BA.2.
“Based on their initial findings and based on observing patients there’s not much of a difference with the Omicron as to the severity of illness,” she said.
The Philippines has detected a total of 535 Omicron cases.
National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) medical adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa, meanwhile, said it is not yet recommended for the public to use higher quality masks N95 or KN95 to protect themselves better from the Omicron variant.
Herbosa, who was asked about the calls of some health experts to use N95 and KN95 masks instead of cloth or surgical masks against Omicron, said the three-ply surgical masks offered good protection against airborne infection or illnesses.
He also said they are not recommending the use of N95 or KN95 masks to the general public since supply might run out for health care workers.
Also on Tuesday, the DOH said a total of seven subnational laboratories will be established in selected regional hospitals nationwide as part of efforts to improve the country’s capacity to detect vaccine-preventable diseases.
Vergeire said the hospitals identified include: Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center; Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital; Western Visayas Medical Center; Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center; Zamboanga Medical Center; Southern Philippines Medical Center; and Cotabato Medical Center.
She said the DOH will provide additional equipment and supplies to these hospitals.
“The WHO has committed to help us regarding the necessary equipment and supplies for the seven subnational labs,” Vergeire said, adding that the UN agency would provide P36 million.
“Even though there is a pandemic, it’s good to give attention to other illnesses such as measles, rubella, and others,” she said.