Philippines detects 2 cases of Omicron subvariant BA.5

An official from the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) revealed on Friday that COVID-19 Omicron sub-variant BA.5 was identified in two persons in the same home in a province north of the capital.

The BA.5 was discovered on May 15 in the samples of two completely vaccinated persons who had been boosted with COVID-19 vaccinations and lived in the central Luzon area, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

“Both have unknown exposure as they did not have a travel history,” she told an online media briefing.
Vergeire said they were considered “mild cases” after manifesting cold and cough. Both have since recovered. She added that one of close contacts, also a household member, is in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19.

Also Read: Omicron subvariant BA.2 is now detectable with OmiSure Covid test kits

The Philippines has also detected the Omicron sub-variants BA.2.12.1 and BA.4.

Vergeire said the Southeast Asian country’s hospitalization rate remains “at low risk despite a slight increase in case counts.”

“Both have unknown exposure as they did not have a travel history,” she told an online media briefing.
Vergeire said they were considered “mild cases” after manifesting cold and cough. Both have since recovered. She added that one of close contacts, also a household member, is in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19.

Previous Omicron subvariants

The Omicron sub-variants BA.2.12.1 and BA.4 have also been discovered in the Philippines.

Despite a minor uptick in case counts, the hospitalisation rate in the Southeast Asian country remains “at low risk,” according to Vergeire.

The country has recorded less than 200 infections each day, most of which are minor or asymptomatic. Over 3.69 million COVID-19 cases have been verified in the Philippines, with 60,455 fatalities.

As of June 1, the Department of Health stated that 69.4 million Filipinos, or 77 percent of the target population, had been fully vaccinated. However, according to the CDC, 40.9 million people have yet to receive their booster injections.

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