Local transmission of Omicron subvariant

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed the local transmission of Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1.

The confirmation followed a careful assessment of available data provided by the University of the Philippines - Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC), UP-PGC Visayas, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), and the regional/local epidemiology and surveillance units (R/LESUs).

According to the DOH, cases have been detected in the National Capital Region, Western Visayas Region, and Puerto Princesa City.

Local transmission means that local cases have been detected which cannot be epidemiologically linked to cases with significant international travel history.

The most recent evidence indicates that Omicron BA.2.12.1 is highly transmissible due to additional mutations, compared to the original Omicron strain.

While this sublineage has so far not been observed to lead to more severe disease or fatality, it has the potential for immune escape.

“Now that we have local transmission of Omicron BA.2.12.1, we must act fast. We are asking our health facilities and local government units to actively look for cases. Immediate isolation is advised for any person who has fever, cough, colds, sore or itchy throat, and other COVID-like signs and symptoms.

Testing using RT-PCR is strongly advised during active surveillance as the method also allows for genomic sequencing. Large clusters should be prioritized for investigation, and contact tracing for cases belonging to these clusters should be conducted,” said DOH Spokesperson Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

The DOH and the concerned local government units (LGUs) are now conducting response operations following the government’s established 4-Door Strategy. Travel restrictions (Door 1) and intensified screening and testing at the border (Door 2) are not strongly considered now because of high vaccination coverage with the primary series and better treatment and management options for all severities of cases. Immediately detecting and isolating cases (Door 3) and strengthening health system capacity to prepare for a potential spike in cases (Door 4) shall be reinforced further. Special vaccination teams are being prepared for immediate deployment to areas where the subvariant has been detected,

to help provide additional population protection through vaccination and boosters.

“We are in a better position now to fight back against COVID-19. The DOH, through its Centers for Health Development and the LGUs, is now priming laboratory networks, temporary treatment and monitoring facilities, clinics, and hospitals to be ready,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

“We must all follow the health protocols - wear the best-fitted mask, isolate when sick, and choose good airflow. While the cases are low and the healthcare capacities are not overwhelmed, now is the best time to be vaccinated and get boosted as soon as eligible,” he added.

Cebu City

Meanwhile, a week after the May 9, 2022 elections, no new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Cebu City.

Councilor Joel Garganera, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) deputy chief implementer, said that out of the 312 individuals tested, none yielded a positive result.

The Emergency Operations Center data showed that the active cases dropped to 22 on Monday, May 16.

The total number of recoveries is at 53,337 after recording five new recoveries.

“Since the start of the 4th Omicron surge, today is the lowest active case in the city at 22 and by the far the most number of brgys that has no reported transmission at 69 barangays,” Garganera told reporters.

In addition, the data shows that no new deaths for the month of May.

Garganera continuously reminds the public that complacency is the “number 1 enemy” as COVID-19 is still around.

He reiterated his appeal to everyone to strictly follow the minimum health protocols even if the city is already “open”.

“We’re good, we’re still at Alert Level 1 but if ever IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) has a lower alert level classification, we can be a good candidate to deescalate to such level. Again, complacency is our No. 1 Enemy, let’s stay focused, be protocol compliant and perhaps, we can kick Covid away,” said Garganera.

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) still placed the city under the loosest form of COVID-19 restrictions.

Cebu City is under Alert Level 1 until the end of May.

Second booster

Also, the Cebu City Health Department is looking for some ways to make the second booster shots more accessible to the immunocompromised after only 200 of them have availed themselves of it so far.

“I don’t know unsay reason, naay uban dili sad gyud ganahan but ato lang sila gi-encourage nga magpabakuna,” said CHR officer-in-charge Dr. Jeffrey Ibones.

Ibones said they are coordinating with specialty doctors so they will be able to encourage their patients to avail of the free second booster shot against Covid-19.

Aside from that, Ibones said they are coordinating with hospitals and dialysis centers for easier access to the immunocompromised.

Ibones made it clear that right now, they only cater second boosters for the immunocompromised.

The Department of Health has not yet given its go signal to give additional boosters shots to the other priority groups.

DOH earlier warned that LGUs as well as the vaccinators themselves will be held liable if they give out second booster shots that are not in their guidelines. — Decemay P. Padilla, and Mary Ruth R. Malinao, JMD (FREEMAN)