56 UK, South African variants detected in Zamboanga region

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Fifty-six cases of the United Kingdom (UK) and South African COVID variants have been detected in Zamboanga peninsula, the regional health office confirmed yesterday.

The cases prompted local health officials to remind the public to intensify the observance of health protocols to protect themselves from the virus.

Residents were also urged to avoid small and large gatherings, and to strictly observe social distancing.

The regional health office said that results of the whole genome sequencing (WGS) conducted by the University of the Philippines–Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC) on 257 samples showed 56 were positive for COVID.

The results were submitted to the Department of Health central office in Manila and endorsed to the DOH-Zamboanga peninsula on Saturday.

The regional health office said of the samples, two tested positive for B117 or the UK variant.

Fifty-four tested positive for B1351 or the South African variant.

One was positive for P3, a variant that was first detected in the Philippines and is currently classified as a variant of interest.

The local inter-agency task force headed by Zamboanga City Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar confirmed the report, citing test results released by the UP-PGC.

Based on 257 samples sent for genome sequencing, 52 were found to be variants of concern including the 51 South African variant and the Philippine variant.

Salazar said of the 52 variants of concern, 37 have fully recovered and 15 have died. Some of the fatalities had existing comorbidities, she said.

Local government units where the cases were detected have been informed about the latest development.

Appropriate actions are being implemented at all levels, Climaco-Salazar said.